Who is considered the founder of ego psychology, emphasizing the conscious ego?

The correct answer highlights Anna Freud’s pivotal role in the development of ego psychology, which focuses on the functions and importance of the ego as a conscious aspect of personality. Ego psychology expands upon Freud’s original theories by emphasizing that the ego is not merely a mediator between the id and the superego but has its own development and functions that guide behavior and help individuals adapt to the realities of life.

Anna Freud contributed significantly to this field by studying the ego's mechanisms and how it helps manage anxiety and maintain psychological balance. Her work involved understanding defense mechanisms and how they are employed by the ego to cope with internal conflicts and external demands. This perspective marks a shift from a more deterministic view of behavior to one that acknowledges the role of the conscious ego in navigating life’s challenges.

In contrast, other figures such as Kurt Lewin, Abraham Maslow, and Carl Rogers, while influential in psychology, did not primarily focus on ego psychology. Lewin is known for his work in social psychology and organizational behavior, Maslow is famous for his hierarchy of needs and humanistic psychology, and Rogers contributed to person-centered therapy. Their contributions lie in different areas that do not directly emphasize the conscious ego in the way that Anna Freud’s theories do.