Free Freud's Theory Of Personality Essay Example

The theory of personality proposed by Sigmund Freud is one of the influential theories that have a great popularity even after a century after the proposal of the theory. Freud introduced the basic structures in the anatomy of personality, namely the id and ego. The id is the reservoir for the instincts and the psychic energy demonstrated by the instincts . It is a powerful structure of personality as it supplies immense energy. The id is a vital component and directly relates to the satisfaction of bodily needs. It acts in accordance with the pleasure principle and functions to increase pleasure by avoiding pain . The id strives for immediate satisfaction of the wants and needs and does not tolerate delay or postponement of satisfaction for any reason. It plays a major role in driving the individuals to what they want and when they want it regardless for what anyone else wants. The id has no awareness of reality.
Freud’s second structure of personality, the ego is the rational master of the personality. The purpose of ego is to help the id obtain the tension reduction it craves. The ego is aware of reality and decides when and how to satisfy the id instincts. It determines appropriate and socially acceptable times, places and objects that will satisfy the id impulses . The ego does not prevent id satisfaction, rather delays, postpones or redirects it in order to meet the demands of reality. It comprehends and controls the environment in a practical and realistic manner and hence operates in accordance to the reality principle. The reality principle opposes the pleasure principle and thus exerts control over the id impulses . The ego constantly mediates and strikes compromises between the conflicting demands of the id and reality. It is always responsive to the id’s demands and derives its power and energy from the id.

References

Ellis, A., & Abrams, M. (2008). Personality Theories: Critical Perspectives. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.