Exploring the Role of the Superego in Freudian Psychology

The concept of the superego stands as a pivotal element in Sigmund Freud’s groundbreaking personality theory, encapsulating the intricate dynamics of our psyche. As the third aspect alongside the id and ego, the superego embodies our internalized moral compass, shaped by societal values and norms. Freud originally referred to it as the ego ideal, emphasizing its role in guiding individuals toward ethical behavior and self-improvement (Freud, 1923).

This facet of personality serves not only to constrain the primal instincts represented by the id but also mediates between these urges and the realistic considerations of everyday life presented by the ego. In many ways, we can think of the superego as that persistent voice in our minds—an ever-watchful guardian that encourages us to aspire for higher moral standards while reminding us of our responsibilities.

In its function, the superego operates like an inner judge or conscience, imposing feelings of guilt or pride based on adherence to learned principles from parents and society at large. It strives for perfectionism, often clashing with our basic desires for immediate gratification—the very essence captured within Freud’s description of human motivation. While this internal dialogue can propel us towards virtuous actions and self-regulation, an overactive superego may lead to excessive criticism and unrealistic expectations that hinder personal growth. Thus, understanding this complex interplay is vital not just for comprehending Freudian psychology but also for navigating our own psychological landscapes filled with conflicting drives and aspirations.

The Role of Superego in Ego Psychology

In ego psychology, the superego plays a crucial role as one of the three components of personality, alongside the id and ego. The superego represents internalized societal norms, morals, and values that are learned from parents and culture. It acts as a moral compass, guiding individuals in their decision-making processes by imposing feelings of guilt or pride based on their actions.

The primary functions of the superego include:

Moral Guidance: The superego strives for perfection and ethical behavior, influencing how an individual perceives right and wrong.
Internal Conflict Management: By holding ideals against which behaviors are measured, it creates tension with the desires of the id (which seeks immediate gratification) and can lead to conflicts that require resolution by the ego.
Self-Regulation: The superego helps regulate impulses from the id through prohibitions or restrictions, promoting socially acceptable behavior.
Developmental Influence: Throughout childhood development stages, children adopt values from parental figures which become integrated into their own self-concept through the formation of the superego.

Overall, in ego psychology, while the ego mediates between reality demands (the external world), primal urges (the id), and moral standards (the superego), it is essential for maintaining psychological balance and facilitating adaptive functioning within society.

See Ego Psychology for more on this topic

The Motivating Influence of the Superego

The superego imposes its power through social emotions such as guilt and shame. While the superego motivates socially moral behaviors, the superego also can hinder growth when overactive. The superego is driven for moral perfection while ignoring realities. Perhaps, in a way, the functions of the superego drives over critical, perfectionistic expectations, ignoring other basic human needs.

Erik Erikson explains the superegos’ dangerous moralistic perfectionism this way, “The suspiciousness and evasiveness which is thus mixed in with the all-or-nothing quality of the superego…makes moralistic man a great potential danger to himself and to his fellow men.” He continues with his warning, “It is as if morality…became synonymous with vindictiveness” (Erikson, 1994).

In Freud’s theory of psychosexual development, the superego is the last component of personality to develop. The infant first experiences the id as the driving force, followed by the ego, and between the ages of 3-5 years begins the development of superego functions.

Two Parts of The Superego

The superego is composed of two primary components or systems: The ego ideal is also referred to as the ideal self. The ego-ideal is an imaginary picture drawn by our expectations of who we think we should be. This internalized image represents career aspirations, how to treat other people, and how to behave as a member of society. These expectations live beneath the surface of consciousness serving as laws we must follow.

Kendra Cherry of verywellmind explains that obeying “these rules leads to feelings of pride, value, and accomplishment. Breaking these rules can result in feelings of guilt” (Cherry, 2020).

Melvin R. Lansky and Andrew P. Morrison describe the ego ideal in slightly more detail, adding that the ego ideal part of “the superego concerned with standards and aspirations. Self-conscious appraisals of ourselves that are discrepant with our aspirations, standards for lovability, and sense of competence, worthiness, and excellence generate shame— the signal of danger to social bonding (i.e., attachment) and to our own assessment of well-being with regard to our ideals” (Lansky & Morrison, 1997).

While the ego ideal is an internalized set of rules, the conscience represents the motivational aspects of the superego that enforce recognition of these imaginary standards. The conscience serves as a punitive ruler, awarding and punishing deviations.

Professor David L. Robinson describes the extreme attack that superego engages against the ego, writing, “During an attack, the superego becomes over severe, abuses, humiliates, and ill treats the unfortunate ego, threatens it with punishments, and reproaches it for long forgotten actions” (Robinson, 2011, p. 130).

For many of us anxiety ridden folks, we certainly can relate to Robinson’s description. Our psychological life makes war with itself and we resolve these conflicts in many healthy and unhealthy ways.

Associated Concepts

The Pleasure Principle: This is a concept developed by Sigmund Freud, a renowned psychologist. According to Freud, the pleasure principle is the instinctual drive that seeks immediate gratification of basic needs and desires. It suggests that the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain is the primary motivation for our behaviors.
Ego Development: This is a conceptual model to understand the progressive change of the personality in response to life experiences. The development encompasses forming of identity, expanding of consciousness, and individual ways for understanding and adapting to reality.
Self-Regulation: This refers to the ability to manage and control one’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in order to achieve personal goals and adapt to various situations. It involves processes such as impulse control, emotional regulation, and the ability to focus attention, make decisions, and persist in tasks.
Erikson’s Psychosocial Development: Erikson’s theory outlines eight distinct stages of psychosocial development, each characterized by a unique crisis or conflict. Successful resolution of these crises leads to healthy personality development.
Piaget’s Stages of Cognitive Development: This theory describes how children develop intellectually as they interact with the world around them. Piaget identified four stages of cognitive development: the sensorimotor stage (birth to 2 years), the preoperational stage (2 to 7 years), the concrete operational stage (7 to 11 years), and the formal operational stage (11 years and older).
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: This is a motivational theory proposed by Abraham Maslow. It’s often depicted as a pyramid, with the most fundamental needs at the bottom and more advanced needs at the top. The theory suggests that individuals are motivated to fulfill basic needs before moving on to other, more advanced needs.
Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development: This theory of moral development presents three levels: pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional. Each level is further divided into two stages, totaling six stages overall. According to Kohlberg, individuals progress through these stages as they mature. Each stage represents a more complex understanding of moral reasoning and ethical decision-making.
Attachment Theory: The early stages of ego development are influenced by one’s attachment style, which can affect interpersonal relationships throughout life.

A Few Words From Psychology Fanatic

Freud’s concept of personality comprised of the three aspects id, ego, and superego is not geographical locations in the brain but functional processes. Freud’s revolutionary theories continue to influence psychology and culture. While Freud correctly identified the self as a complex structure with different goals, He only identified three processes. I believe this woefully undershoots the complexity of our psychological existence.

We can view the psyche from many angles, each angle provides a new grouping of characteristics, complexly and intricately weaved with the other functions of the brain, mind and body. I find that Freud’s three aspects provide an effective foundation for untangling the complex web of self. His theory sheds light on conflicting drives, and troublesome imbalances, setting the stage for decades of research on our reactions and adaptations to these internal conflicts.

Last Update: January 11, 1926

References:

Cherry, K. (2020). Understanding the Role of Freud’s Superego. Verywellmind. Published 5-30-2020. Accessed 7-28-2021. Website: https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-the-superego-2795876
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Erikson, Erik H. (1994) Identity and the Life Cycle. W. W. Norton & Company; Revised ed. edition.ISBN-10: 0393311325 APA Record: 1994-97386-000
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Freud, Sigmund (1923). The ego and the id. SE, 19: 1-66. ISBN: 9780393001426; DOI: 10.1080/1046171X.1989.12034344
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Lansky, Melvin R.; Morrison, Andrew. P. (1997) The Legacy of Freud’s Writings on Shame. Melvin R. Lansky and Andrew P. Morrison editors in The Widening Scope of Shame. Routledge; 1st edition.ISBN-10: 1317771370; DOI: 10.4324/9781315803388
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Robinson, David L. (2011). Brain, Mind and Behaviour: A New Perspective on Human Nature. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; 2nd edition. ISBN-10: 1460980700; APA Record: 1996-03385-000
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