Freud’s Personality Theory

Question 1

ID (Instincts)

Answer 1

The instinct-driven, pleasure-seeking part of the mind, focused on immediate gratification. The id is the impulsive (and unconscious) part of our psyche that responds directly and immediately to basic urges, needs, and desires. Importantly, the id lacks any sense of right or wrong. When the id achieves its demands, we experience pleasure, and when it is denied, we experience ‘unpleasure’ or tension.

Question 2

EGO (Reality)

Answer 2

The rational mediator that balances the Id’s impulses with real-world constraints (Super-ego). Ideally, the ego works by reason, whereas the id is chaotic and unreasonable. The ego’s goal is to satisfy the id’s demands in a safe and socially acceptable way. If the ego fails to use the reality principle and anxiety is experienced, unconscious defense mechanisms are employed to help ward off unpleasant feelings (i.e., anxiety) or make good things feel better for the individual.

Question 3

SUPEREGO (Morality)

Answer 3

The moral conscience representing societal and parental standards, striving for ideal behavior. It develops around 3 – 5 years during the phallic stage of psychosexual development. The superego operates on the morality principle and motivates us to behave in a socially responsible and acceptable manner. The superego’s function is to control the id’s impulses, especially those which society forbids,