Freud’s ID, Ego, AND Superego Essay Samples

Freud’s proposition on human behavior basing on the id, ego, and superego was fascinating. Freud argued that the id determines the energy, psychic, and it is the primary component of a person. Freud noted that the id does not consider the morals but is purely driven by the pleasure principle. One seeks immediate gratification even if it means hurting others. Due to this, most behavioral traits that result from id are socially unacceptable. On the other hand, the ego deals with the reality. The ego allows for only socially acceptable behaviors and functions in the unconscious, preconscious, and conscious part of the mind (George Boeree, 2009).
The ego suppresses the id desires to control behaviors by weighing the costs and benefits of one’s actions. The superego develops around age five and entails rules and standards of behaviors from the community that guide one in making decisions. A person internalizes through learning what the society or those in the authority view as right or wrong. The fascinating aspect is how these three competing forces interact in one’s mind. When a conflict arises among them, one uses the ego strength to manage the pleasures. For example, if one is hungry, one may steal from the stores of firms if they succumb to id as opposed to controlling their gratification using either superego or ego.
The ideas on id, ego, and superego are essential in psychology since they explain the motivation behind human actions. The id, ego, and superego helps psychologist understand the behavior of children. The application of the knowledge of id, ego, and superego can explain criminal behaviors in today’s society since those with dominant id usually become criminals. Moreover, the people with dominant ego are rigid followers of rules. Those with a dominant superego tend to be moralist or preachers.

References

Boeree G. (2009). SIGMUND FREUD. Retrieved on April 23, 2015 from http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/freud.html