id,+ego,+and+superego

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Definition:
In Freudian theory, the "id" is the only part of the personality that is present at birth, and it is often compared to a newborn infant who never grows up. It is inherited, primitive, inaccessible, and completely unconscious. The "ego" is the logical, rational, realistic part of the personality that evolves and draws its energy from the id. One of the ego's functions is to satisfy the id's urges. When a child is 5 or 6, the "superego," the moral component of the personality, is formed. The superego has two parts: (1) the conscience consists of all the behaviors for which the child has been punished and about which he or she feels guilty; and (2) the ego ideal comprises the behaviors for which the child has been praised and rewarded and about which he or she feels pride and satisfaction.

Chapter 11, page 355

Examples:
A man is walking down a street when he sees a beautiful woman. His id wants her, right now. His ego rationalizes how to get her for himself. His superego reminds him what his parents taught him about respecting other people, especially women. It also reminds him that he already has a girlfriend and that this would be called "cheating," which is bad. He keeps walking down the street and goes on with his life.

Examples of driving forces behind these three include the death instinct, aggressive and destructive impulses and the pleasure principle. media type="youtube" key="rXK_1U6BUMA" height="315" width="560"

Analogies:
The death instinct: When a person dies who is close to you i.e. grandparent, parent, sibling or best friend. Some people experience self-deprecating behavior such as depression, excessive drinking, hostility and general lack of self-preservation.

Mnemonics:
[Ideas, Everywhere, Shine]

In the News:
Not a news story, but negative behavior to loss. Check it out.media type="youtube" key="YersIyzsOpc" height="315" width="420"