Introduction
Sigmud Freud established a psychoanalytic theory of personality development. He argued that personality is created through conflicts among three essential structures of the human mind. These three components to the structure of personality include id, ego, and superego. According to Freud, these three parts each has different mechanics, operating principles, properties, dynamics, functions, and, mechanics. The main idea of this theory is to demonstrate how personality is structured ( Guntrip, 2018). The paper will discuss these three components of the structure of personality as described by Freud.
Components to the Structure of Personality
The Id is identified as the most deeply hidden unconscious part of the personality. Freud refers to the Id as “Psycho Energy” because it is the source of psychological energy and our basic drives. This component of personality consists of only two basic drives including aggression and sex. The sex and aggression aspects are determined biologically and instinctual. Freud states that the Id operates according to the “pleasure principle” because it constantly seeks pleasure through direct fulfilment of its needs. The Id is described as almost “unhuman” because it is unrealistic, irrational, and unrestrained. The reason is that the Id always wants the impossible such as attempting to meet its every impulse wherever and whenever it feels like regardless of the situation. Freud indicates that if we lived based on the uncontrolled commands of life, then the human race will not survive for long.
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Ego is the second part of personality whose concept indicate something close to our common sense of self. According to Freud, this personality functions based on “reality principle”. It has the ability to act in a practical way whereby it can accept limits and it has knowledge on what is possible and impossible. It plays the role of identifying the most suitable ways of fulfilling the desires of the Id. It achieves this by defining the appropriate fashion, place, and time for very satisfaction. According to Freud, the Id and the ego have a mutual relationship whereby the Id provides the power and the ego controls it.
The superego is the third part of personality. It is the unconscious mechanism just like the Id. It comprises of internalized restrictions conversed to us by our culture and parents. This normally occurs generally in children aged 5 and 6 years. The superego is a useful guide that act as an instructor to the Id and the ego. Although it serves as a guide, the superego share similar characteristics just like the Id. These characteristics include, it is uncompromising, demanding, and irrational. However, the difference between the Id and the superego occurs where the Id seeks immediate satisfaction while superego seeks moral perfection. The superego consist of two components, the conscious and the ego ideal. The conscious prevents a person from doing things that are morally bad due to fear of punishment. The second component is the ego ideal that motivates an individual to do what is appropriate because of the reward. Anytime a person to fails to achieve perfection, the superego punishes them by triggering feels of guilt. It causes a person to feel deep shame for doing something ( Guntrip, 2018).
Conclusion
According to Freud, the structure of personality is made up of three components including the Id, ego, and superego. The Id seeks immediate gratification in an impractical way. The ego plays the role of satisfying the needs of the Id in an appropriate and practical way. The superego serves as a guide to the Id and the ego. The superego demands for acceptable behavior both morally and socially. Freud believes these three components are the principle determinant of human behavior and personality. Therefore, they play a crucial role in the personality and behavior of an individual.
References
Guntrip, H. (2018). Psychoanalytic theory, therapy and the self . Routledge.
White, T.I & Hall, P. (2008). Discovering Philosophy, Portfolio Edition 2nd Edition. ISBN 13: 9780132302128
