We have called it the 'ego ideal'... heir to the original narcissism in which the childish ego enjoyed self-sufficiency." Freud reiterated how "in many forms of love-choice ... the object serves as a substitute for some unattained ego ideal of our own," and further suggested that in group formation "the group ideal ... governs the ego in the place of the ego ideal."
The "ego ideal" is an idealized version of oneself, often rooted in childhood desires for self-sufficiency. The "group ideal" refers to the shared values and expectations within a group, which can influence individual behavior. Both concepts relate to how individuals perceive themselves and their place in society.