Levels of Cognition and Conscience Typologies

Summary

A study was made of the relationship between levels of cognition (primary versus secondary process thinking) and types of conscience development (integrated versus non-integrated conscience). A group of college students (N = 40) were given the Rorschach Test and a scale of items that measured styles of conscience preference. The Rorschach was scored according to Holt's Pripro methods. The levels of conscience styles were related to the scores of primary process thinking on the Rorschach. The results corroborated the hypothesis that non-integrated conscience is related to the emphasis (on the Rorschach) of primary process thinking. The results were related to the general body of theory in ego psychology.