| |
The id, ego and super-ego are three concepts of psychoanalytic theory that describe the mental life of a person. The id is the will of a person that demands absolute power and immediate satisfaction. The super-ego is the critical element of the mind that is moral, judgemental and socially considerate. The ego is the realistic element of the mind that tries to fill the demands of the id in the real world by using input from the super-ego. The following are illustrative functions of the ego.
Attention to Detail | Calculated Risk Taking | Civility | Communication | Competing | Cooperation | Decision Making | Defense Mechanisms | Discipline | Effort | Flexibility | Goal Planning | Influencing | Initiative | Introspection | Learning | Learning From Failure | Listening | Managing Resources | Managing Time | Mental Focus | Negotiation | Organization | Perception | Planning | Politeness | Prioritizing | Problem Solving | Realistic / Pragmatic Judgement | Regulating Emotions | Regulating Mood | Self-Control | Self-Improvement | Self-Monitoring | Self-Restraint | Skill Acquisition / Mastery | Social Perception | Strategy | Stress Tolerance | Thought Processes | Work |
Sigmund Freud's theory of ego is very different from how ego is depicted in common language and popular culture where it is synonymous with selfishness or excessive pride.A person is only born with an id and the ego and super-ego are developed with learning. Without an ego, you would return to an infant-like state where you only make demands without any realistic way of achieving them yourself.The ego implements executive functions of the mind. These are basic functions that allow for the cognitive control of behavior.The ego acts according to the reality principle -- it seeks to achieve things in the long term given the realities of the external world.The id, ego and super-ego are conceptual. The mind doesn't necessarily actually work with these mechanisms.Defense mechanisms are ploys to reduce stress from the judgement of super-ego.|
Type | | Definition (1) | A mental layer that tries to fill the demands of the id by using input from the super-ego. | Definition (2) | The executive functions of the mind that work according to the reality principle whereby desires are achieve in the long-run by working in a pragmatic way that considers the apparent realities of the external world. | Related Concepts | |
Social Thinking
This is the complete list of articles we have written about social thinking.
If you enjoyed this page, please consider bookmarking Simplicable.
© 2010-2024 Simplicable. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of materials found on this site, in any form, without explicit permission is prohibited.
View credits & copyrights or citation information for this page.
|