Id, Ego & Superego





Freud throught the mind was constantly in conflict with itself and understood this conflict was one of the main causes of human unhappiness and anxiety. He divided the mind into three parts, the id, ego and superego. It has to be noted that the separation of the mind into these parts of the brain is not physical.

I want,therefore I am
The id contains all of our most basic animal and primitive impulses that demand satisfaction.Relentlessly it is driven by the force that Freud called the Libido which is ones energy to survive.According to Freud we are all born with an ID.It is an important part in new-born’s because it allows them to get their basic needs. The ID wants what feels good at the time with no consideration for others or the reality of the situation.It wants to be satisfied now!' Take the example of the child. When the id is hungry, the child will cry, when the id is in pain, the child will cry until the id's needs are met. Enter the Ego

The ego which is ruled by the reality principal allows us to understand that immediate gratification is usually impossible.The ego's job is to meet the ids urges while taking into consideration the reality of the situation, therefore the ego often supresses the ids urges until an appropriate situation arise. It often utilizes defence mechanisms to achieve this repression. It s the ego's job to meet the needs of the id, while taking into consideration the reality of the situation. With the formation of the ego, the individual becomes a self, instead of an amalgamation of urges and needs.

 The final judgment

The Superego develops last.The superego uses gult and self-reproach as its primary means of  enforcemnt of rule.However,if the person does somthign whihc is acceptable,the superego expereinces pride and satisfaction.

The superego is divided into two parts:conscience and ego ideal. the concience forces the ego to enhibit the id on morally acceptable goals. The ego ideal on the other hand aims the life of an individual towards and ideal with perfect goals instilled by society.