structure of personality

Question 1

id

Answer 1

The primitive part of personality and operates on the pleasure principle Demands instant gratification - therefore the id gets what it wants.
It is entirely unconscious, consisting of a mass of unconscious drives and instincts.
It is the only present part of personality at birth and is entirely selfish throughout life.
The needs of the id are focused on hunger, thirst and sex.

Question 2

ego

Answer 2

Works on the reality principle and is the mediator of the id and superego. Develops around the age of 2 and plays the role of trying to reduce conflict between the demands of the id and the superego - it manages this by using several defence mechanisms.
The ego is logical and rational and seeks to satisfy the id in socially acceptable ways.

Question 3

superego

Answer 3

Formed around the ages of 5-6, at the end of the phallic stage of psychosexual development.
It contains our moral values, therefore it operates on the morality principle.
The superego is our internalised sense of right and wrong.
The superego gradually takes over the role of a parent and begins to tell us inside our own head how we should act.