PSYCHOANALYTIC APPROACH SIGMUND FREUD The development of… the id, ego, and superego

Background Inner conflicts and struggled of which people are unaware affecting their personality FREUD: People are born with basic biological drives: sex and aggression Some unacceptable drives and passions in unconscious are repressed because the conscious mind can’t deal with them Freud proposed 3 systems that conflict between inner drives and external restraints – ID, EGO, SUPEREGO

ID Hidden from conscious mind Primitive impulses – thirst, anger, hunger Basic drives – survival, reproduction, etc. BORN with the ID Example – Infant is hungry = cries As an INFANT the ID is in FULL control Based on the “PLEASURE PRINCIPLE” – feels good at the time, with NO social restraints DEVIL on the shoulder SEEN IN THE ORAL PHASE

SUPEREGO Conscious / moral part of the person Child absorbs this through values from parents and society Rather than internal wants (ID) – it si driven by what is perceived as right Based on MORAL PRINCIPLE – conscience & individual self-image of a moral person ANGEL on shoulder Starts during the anal phase

EGO Develops with maturity and experiences – FRONTAL LOBE Balances between our impulses and our conscious Based on REALITY PRINCIPLE – Needs of ID vs. real world Ego understands consequences of id’s drive if there were no restraints Ego is the deciders between the ID and SUPEREGO Everyone has a different EGO & it changes throughout life

Discussion Questions Think of a time when you experienced a conflict between your ID, EGO, SUPEREGO What/Who has had the greatest impact on your EGO How is this theory different around the world? Give an example – ID, EGO, SUPEREGO How does the SUPEREGO change over time? Explain how this happens Does society impact this theory?