Video:Sigmund Freud's Id, Ego, and Superego Theorywith Dr. Jean Leahy
The id, ego and super ego are concepts that were all thought up by Sigmund Freud as parts of his structure of the mind theory. This About.com psychology video will explain exactly what the id, ego and super ego all are.See Transcript
Transcript:Sigmund Freud's Id, Ego, and Superego Theory
My name is Dr. Jean Leahy. I'm a clinical psychologist in private practice in Chicago, and I'm here with About.com. Today we're going to talk about Sigmund Freud's id, ego, and super ego theory.
Freud's Theory: Id
This is a psychoanalytic theory that is comprised of three elements that work together to explain an individual personality. This is a three part model comprised of the id, the ego, and the super ego. The first element is the id, which is comprised of unconscious feelings and urges, which is a need for instant, and often instinctual, gratification.
Freud's Theory: Ego
The second component is the ego, which is derived from the id and acts to be acceptable in the real world. The ego considers the benefits and the costs in making a decision and does not automatically seek out instant gratification. This is known as the reality principle, that acts to satisfy the id in socially appropriate ways.
Freud's Theory: Super Ego
The third component is the superego which is comprised of moral ideals and values. According to Freud, the superego develops around age five and helps us make moral judgments. This is where one develops a sense of right or wrong.
Freud believes everyone has an id, ego, and super ego. The id presses us to act instantly and seek instant gratification. The ego asks us to delay and to think more carefully about our decision. And our super ego is our conscience letting us know if this behavior is moral and right.
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