Video:Interaction of the Id, Ego and Superego
with Dr. Warren ProcciThe id, ego and superego are psychology terms that refer to different mental functions according to Sigmund Freud's theories. Watch this About.com video to learn how the id, ego and superego may explain people's behavior.See Transcript
Transcript:Interaction of the Id, Ego and Superego
Hello, I am Dr. Warren Procci and I am speaking for About.com. I am going to be talking to you now about the structural theory, and these are the elements: id, ego, and superego. And these were understood as different mental functions.
The Id
The id would be akin to something like what Freud called the unconscious, earlier. Freud saw sex and aggression as the primary forces that pushed or motivated individuals. The id is the reservoir of sexual and aggressive impulses.
The Ego
The idea of the ego is the ego is something of an executive organ of the mind. The ego was a set of functions which enabled an individual to both control and contain the impulses in the id and also to find a way for them to have some kind of expression that allowed for the individual to lead some kind of healthy and balanced life.
The Superego
The superego is a notion akin to conscience. The superego is a sense of right or wrong. It’s a sense that not only allows an individual to express certain kinds of wishes and impulses but to express them in a way that is consistent with societal mores. So when they feel the need or wish or desire to to have sexual aggressive impulses or any other behaviors really, that they have a sense of what is consistent with the society and culture around them and they conduct themselves in accordance with that.
This is Dr. Warren Procci for About.com. And thanks for watching.