We will make a summary about meaning of Superego in Freud How is the Superego formed, how does it develop? Basically, we will be studying how the moral values of society are introjected as moral values of an individual.

The beginning of Freud's studies on the Ego

I remember that the Ego began to be analyzed by Sigmund Freud as a segment of the Id. In fact, historically, more instincts, represented by the Id, were required in the daily life of primitive man than reason, represented by the Ego.

It is worth informing that, on a theoretical level, the Ego emerged based on the reality principle, seeking to satisfy the desires of the Id, but in a realistic, social, and ethical way.

This is because Superego represents the world around individuals, because, after all, as Ortega Y Gasset says, it is "the individual and his circumstances". This individual is represented by the environment that surrounds him, with its vital day-to-day problems.

The Ego, according to Hume

David Hume (1711-1776), on the other hand, philosopher and social scientist, in his Treatise of Human Nature (1738), says that the Ego (or reason) is and always will be a "slave of instincts", considering that a world guided by reason would be impossible, because, according to him:

Reason does not tell us what our goals should be; instead, it tells us what we must do given the goals we already have.

This makes the Ego, according to Hume, a simple "instrument that helps achieve goals that have been determined by something other than reason," in this case, the Id."

The Superego as tormentor of the Ego

But it was Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) who made, in my opinion, the more appropriate analogy For him, the ego and the id resemble, respectively, the "horseman" and the "horse".

There is a difference, because the rider uses his own forces to control the horse, while the Ego uses the Id's forces to achieve its purposes.

It should be noted, however, that Freud goes further, when he teaches that the Id is not the only one to affect the Ego. Superego .

The Moral Functions of Personality

The Superego corresponds, in general, to what we commonly call the conscience and comprises the moral functions of the personality, which include:

• a approval or disapproval of actions and desires based on righteousness;
• a critical self-observation ;
• a self-punishment ;
• a demand for reparation or repentance for having acted badly;
• o self-praise or the self-esteem as a reward for virtuous or commendable thoughts and actions.

However, some make a point of explicitly dividing the Superego into two components: the ego ideal and consciousness .

The Ego-ideal and consciousness

The ego ideal, then, would be that part of the Superego that includes the rules and standards of good behavior; those that are approved not only by parents and other authority figures; and that usually give us pleasure, provide pride and fulfillment.

Conscience, on the other hand, would be that part of the Superego in which rules and behaviors are considered bad and leave us with feelings of guilt.

These rules can be so strong that if we violate them, they will unsettling our conscience and create remorse in us.

In short, when we engage in actions that fit the "Ego Ideal," we feel good about ourselves or proud of our accomplishments. When we do things that our conscience considers bad, we are likely to experience feelings of guilt.

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The child according to "Three Essays on the Theory of Sexuality

Freud focuses, in his work "Three Essays on the Theory of Sexuality", on the fact that the child is guided, from birth, by the Id When she reaches the Oedipal phase, she gives up her intentions towards the opposite sex, repressing her sexual instincts! Her ethical and moral formation begins, shaped by this mental segment that Freud called Superego.

I think, however, that this social part has advanced a bit in relation to Freud's time. Social relations have already begins in the family and is completed in the relationships with the little friends of the nursery school or day care center that you attend.

The child begins to have a notion of the right to property, by being able to distinguish the pencil, the ruler, the eraser, the notebook, the book, and the toys that belong to him from those that belong to his classmates.

The Effects of Superego in Childhood

In this childhood, the primary action of the Superego also acts suppress those impulses or desires of the Id It is up to the teacher, on these occasions, to be the judge of conflicts, and may be more of a future reference for her of right and wrong.

Thus, the Superego, in acting with the Ego as a repressor of the Id, or the instincts of the child, brings to mind the image of a situation that can lead to a feeling of guilt in the future .

Without anyone knowing, not even herself, how she acquired it, in case there are still remnants of child insecurity Shame can be a strong trait.

The Effects of Parental Reprimands

Therefore, it is worth noting that while in Freudian studies the Ego begins to develop during the first three years of a child's life, and that the Superego only begins to take shape around the age of five.

Today this concept may develop earlier, forced by the absence of the mother and father in which both take on the financial responsibility of the household.

But even though most of the contents of the superego are conscious, and can be picked up by perception, Freud teaches that actions may not be perceptible, when there is a harmonious relationship between the Ego and the Superego .

Conclusion: definition and formation of the Superego

O the moral role of the father (saying what needs to be done) contrasts with the the loving role of the mother The father is, par excellence, the voice that introjects moral values into the child.

See that we are talking about social roles normally practiced: there are families that can have other configurations and roles. And this paternal role can be exercised by other moral institutions, such as the teachers (education), the priests and pastors (religion), the media, culture, the State etc.

Superego arises as a consequence of introjection of paternal prohibitions and exhortations all because of the numerous additions and alterations it undergoes later in childhood, adolescence, and even adulthood.

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In short, when we engage in actions that fit the " Ego Ideal "When we do things that our conscience considers bad, we are likely to experience feelings of guilt.

This article about Superego in Psychoanalysis was created by Tania Welter, exclusively for Training Course in Clinical Psychoanalysis (see our section on Frequently Asked Questions about the Course) .