The Impulsive Self - I'm not going to live by their rules

In the movie, Groundhog Day, Phil Connor, played by Bill Murray, is stuck in a time warp repeating Groundhog Day, over and over again. One day he is drinking at a bowling alley with two guys named Gus and Ralph. He asks them,"What would you do if you were stuck in the same place and each day was the same and nothing you did meant anything. Ralph says, "That pretty much sums it up for me.: They all get drunk. Later, Phil asks, What would you do if there was no tomorrow." Gus says, "That would mean there is no consequence, we could do what we want." (See police car video, 3 cheeseburgers)

At the lowest stage of development, the only behavior restraint is fear of punishment from an external source, what you do is only bad if you get caught and have to suffer consequences. Behavior is centered on pleasure/pain and reward/punishment.

One day in a cafe, Rita watches Phil smoke, eat, and pour coffee down his throat right from the pot. She quotes Sir Walter Scott, "The wretch, con-centered on self shall go down unwept, un-honored and unsung."

Phil says, "I suppose you think I'm egocentric. She says, "Egocentric is your defining characteristic."

The Impulsive Self is totally egocentric. Without internal moral development, the Impulsive Self acts on whatever urge comes to mind, without regard for others.

Groundhog Day