Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Id, Ego, Super-Ego

Freud divided the mind into three parts, id, ego, and super-ego.  Each part of the mind is responsible for something different.  Id and super-ego are comparable to the angel and devil sitting on one's shoulders telling one right and wrong.


Id-the impulsive, child-like portion of the psyche that operates on the "pleasure principle" and only takes into account what it wants and disregards all consequences.
Id is equivalent to the devil sitting on one's shoulder.

Super-Ego-plays the critical and moralizing role in the psyche, aims for perfection, includes ego's ideals, punishes misbehavior with feelings of guilt.
Super-ego is equivalent to the angel on one's shoulder.

Ego- the organized, realistic portion on the psyche that acts according to the "reality principle" and seeks to please the id’s drive in realistic ways that will benefit in the long term rather than bringing grief.
Ego is equivalent to one's conscience.


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