A major task in acquiring self knowledge is understanding the relationship between who one is and how one presents oneself to the world. Adapting to certain occasions, behaving in a manner suitable to that occasion, and knowing how best to navigate a vast multitude of situations is a necessary part of life. For this one needs to develop a healthy persona.
A Mask to Greet the World
The persona is the mask worn to greet the world. Optimally, this does not undermine the authenticity of the self. Its primary function is to navigate the space between the inner world of ego with its surrounding self and the outer world of values and culture. How these worlds rub up against one another is negotiated by the persona.
According to Jungian analyst Dr. Boris Matthews, “the persona is a functional complex… that operates as an attitude, or way of relating to, the "outer" world. It serves both as "interface" with the world and protection from the '"outer" world, depending on life experience including how one has been accepted, wounded or rejected when one has naively presented an authentic thought, feeling, or reaction.”
How it Fits
How the persona fits with the ego is important at any stage but especially in the early years of development. A young child learns from the family what parts of herself or himself can and cannot, or should not, be expressed. These various unacceptable parts get put into what Robert Bly calls, “the long bag we drag behind us” and make up the shadow personality.
Some Examples
Naturally, a healthy persona is invaluable for relating appropriately to the situation at hand. Such instances include (but are not limited to)
- the job interview
- a student in a classroom
- workplace interactions
- communicating with the "boss"
- dealing with public officials
- making an expensive purchase
- credit card callers/cold calling
- meeting the perspective in-laws
Moreover, different personas – or variations on one’s persona -- are useful at different times so generally there are several in the arsenal at all times.
Complications May Arise
Keeping focused on persona, however, it is important to note that a number of complications may arise. For example, if the fit between the persona and ego is too tight a certain rigidity or falseness in the personality ensues. The person acts in a more artificial or stereotypical way answering first to this outer persona while the real self stays out of view. What develops in this case is called a false self.
If, on the other hand, the persona does not develop at all, or develops to an insufficient degree, the individual will have a difficult time interacting with the outside world. This is expressed in consistently misreading cues from the environment or feeling uncertain of what is expected in seemingly straightforward encounters, or blundering about cluelessly. Without the necessary glue provided by the persona, there is simply too loose a fit between the ego and world. Both extremes are problematic.
Maintaining a Healthy Persona
A healthy persona, therefore, is crucial in conducting life’s affairs. The persona helps keep the channels between oneself and the many situations life brings well oiled. Maintaining an awareness of these adaptive personas disallows them from overwhelming the ego and contributes in helping one feel equipped and ready for whatever is at hand. An adaptive and flexible persona keeps life running smoothly.
References:
Bly, R., (1988). A Little Book About the Shadow. San Francisco: Harper.
Matthews, B. (2008). from "A Deeper Look into Jungian Psychology" an online course out of C.G.Jungian Institute of Chicago: Spring, 2008.
Samuels, A., Shorter, B., Plaut, F. (1986). A Critical Dictionary of Jungian Analysis London: Routledge.
Whitmont, Edward. (1991). The Symbolic Quest: Basic Concepts of Analytical Psychology. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
Megge Hill Fitz-Randolph - Megge Fitz-Randolph is a poet, teacher, and student of Carl Jung and mythology. Her poems have appeared in various journals including ...
Join the Conversation