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An alter ego is a second self that contrasts with a person’s normal personality, often used in literature, philosophy, and government. It is not commonly used in clinical psychology, but can refer to close friends or famous characters played by actors. People who behave differently in different situations may also be said to have an alter ego, and those with well-developed ones may live a double life.
An alter ego is a second self, a part of a person’s personality that is in stark contrast to their normal personality. This concept is often used as a literary device, perhaps most famously in the Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but it has also been explored in philosophy, government, and even economics. The idea of a distinct second personality is intriguing to some people, and the concept is sometimes used to explain behavior that is considered erratic or abnormal.
This Latin term, which literally means “other self”, does not occur very often in clinical psychology or psychiatry. Although some mental health conditions involve the manifestation of alternate personalities, clinical terms such as “dissociative identity disorder” are usually preferred, as psychologists like to draw a clear line between psychology and disciplines such as fiction and philosophy.
People refer to the alter ego in many different ways. For example, some people use this term to talk about close and inseparable friends, referring to the idea that these friends have become entangled in their personal identity. It is certainly true that some people seem to come as a couple with their best friends.
Characters played by actors are sometimes referred to as alter egos, especially when those characters are prominent and famous and have made the actor’s name known. Sean Connery’s alter, for example, is James Bond, because although other actors have portrayed the character, Connery made him famous, and his distinctive style is often referred to as the “real” Bond.
When someone behaves differently in different situations, they are sometimes said to have an alter ego. Indeed, adjusting one’s behavior to social norms and expectations could be considered social adjustment, but people who feel equally comfortable in a variety of contrasting situations are sometimes viewed with suspicion by less adaptable people. A loving mother who is also a savvy businesswoman is one example.
Someone with an especially well-developed alter in fiction and film can live a “double life.” For example, a character in a novel who works as a spy might have a cover job as an auto mechanic, with characters who are privy to the secret identity referencing the protagonist’s double life and the emotional stress it creates. Double lives also occur in the real world, although they are less common than fiction would suggest.
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