Part II    Psychodynamic Theories34
fei75766_ch02_019-071.indd 34  02/19/20 08:59 AMFinding itself surrounded onthree sides bydivergent andhostile forces, theego
reacts inapredictable manner—it becomes anxious. Itthenusesrepression andother 
defense mechanisms todefend itself against thisanxiety (Freud, 1926/1959a).
According toFreud (1933/1964), theegobecomes differentiated from the
idwhen infants learn todistinguish themselves from theouter world. While theid
remains unchanged, theegocontinues todevelop strategies forhandling theid’s
unrealistic andunrelenting demands forpleasure. Attimes theegocancontrol the
powerful, pleasure-seeking id,butatother times itloses control. Incomparing the
egototheid,Freud usedtheanalogy ofaperson onhorseback. Therider checks and
inhibits thegreater strength ofthehorse butisultimately atthemercy oftheanimal. 
Similarly, theegomust check andinhibit idimpulses, butitismore orlessconstantly 
atthemercy ofthestronger butmore poorly organized id.Theegohasnostrength of
itsownbutborrows energy from theid.Inspiteofthisdependence ontheid,theego
sometimes comes close togaining complete control, forinstance, during theprime of
lifeofapsychologically mature person.
Aschildren begin toexperience parental rewards andpunishments, theylearn 
what todoinorder togainpleasure andavoid pain. Atthisyoung age,pleasure and
painareegofunctions because children havenotyetdeveloped aconscience andego-
ideal: thatis,asuperego. Aschildren reach theageof5or6,theyidentify withtheir
parents andbegin tolearn what theyshould andshould notdo.Thisistheorigin of
thesuperego.
The Superego
InFreudian psychology, thesuperego, orabove-I, represents themoral andideal 
aspects ofpersonality andisguided bythemoralistic andidealistic principles as
opposed tothepleasure principle oftheidandtherealistic principle oftheego.The
superego grows outoftheego,andliketheego,ithasnoenergy ofitsown. However, 
thesuperego differs from theegoinoneimportant respect—it hasnocontact with
theoutside world andtherefore isunrealistic initsdemands forperfection (Freud, 
1923/1961a).
Thesuperego hastwosubsystems, theconscience andtheego-ideal. Freud did
notclearly distinguish between these twofunctions, but,ingeneral, theconscience 
results from experiences withpunishments forimproper behavior andtellsuswhat 
weshould not do, whereas theego-ideal develops from experiences withrewards for
proper behavior andtellsuswhat weshould do. Aprimitive conscience comes into
existence when achild conforms toparental standards outoffearoflossofloveor
approval. Later, during theOedipal phase ofdevelopment, these ideals areinternal -
izedthrough identification withthemother andthefather. (Wediscuss theOedipus 
complex inalatersection titled Stages ofDevelopment.)
Awell-developed superego actstocontrol sexual andaggressive impulses 
through theprocess ofrepression. Itcannot produce repressions byitself, butit
canorder theegotodoso.Thesuperego watches closely overtheego,judging its
actions andintentions. Guilt istheresult when theegoacts—or evenintends to
act—contrary tothemoral standards ofthesuperego. Feelings ofinferiority arise 
when theegoisunable tomeet thesuperego’s standards ofperfection. Guilt, then, Final PDF to printer