The Superego The Interaction of the Id, Ego and Superego

13 would calculate the possible result of this action; the worst thing may happen. Thus, the Ego would direct you to order and pay for your own beer.

c. The Superego

We can view the Id as operating on the signal ―I want it now.‖ The Ego answers this demand by saying ―Let‘s be realistic and get it in a way that won‘t cause trouble. ‖ These two forces, however, must also controlled by the Superego, which says, ‗Think. Is it right to want it?‖ The Superego represents our conscience. It includes the moral values of right and wrong which are largely instilled in us by our parents. The Superego makes us feel guilty when we have done the wrong thing. As you might imagine, people who are dominated by the Superego will be very uptight and self-conscience; they must constantly ask themselves, ―Is it right to feel or act this way?‖ It is also the superego which motivates us to better ourselves and to live up to our ideals. According to Freud, the superego begins to emerge at around age five. There are two parts of the superego. The first part is called the ego ideal. The ego ideal includes the rules and standards for good behaviors. These behaviors include those, which are approved of by parental and other authority figures. Obeying these rules leads to feelings of pride, value and accomplishment. The second part is called the conscience. The conscience includes information about things that are viewed as bad by parents and society. These behaviours are often forbidden and lead to bad consequences, punishments or feelings of guilt and remorse. 14

d. The Interaction of the Id, Ego and Superego

With so many competing forces, it is easy to see how conflict might arise between the id, ego and superego. Freud used the term ego strength to refer to the egos ability to function despite these duelling forces. A person with good ego strength is able to effectively manage these pressures, while those with too much or too little ego strength can become too unyielding or too disrupting. According to Freud, the key to a healthy personality is a balance between the id, the ego, and the superego.

4. Theory of Motivation