Psychodynamic approach - Assumption 3

What are the three parts of the tripartite personality?

• Id

• Ego

• Superego

When does the Id develop?

The Id is present from birth

What does the Id consist of?

The Id consists of biological impulses and drives

What principle does the Id work on?

The Id is said to work on the pleasure principle, it drives us to seek out pleasure and gratification and drives us to avoid displeasure

When does the ego develop?

The ego develops during childhood

What is the ego said to do?

The ego aims to gratify the impulses of the Id in line with what is realistically possible and morally acceptable

What principle does the ego work on?

The ego works on the reality principle, it considers the environment it is in and works out how to gratify the demands of the Id in a realistic and moral way in line with that environment

When does the superego develop?

The superego develops last, according to Freud it develops as a result of the resolution of the Oedipus/Electra complex

What does the superego do?

The superego judges wether actions are right or wrong (effectively a conscience).

What does Freud claim the superego is an internalised representation of?

According to Freud the superego is an internalised representation of a child’s same-sex parent, he says this internalisation happens as a result of the resolution of the Oedipus or Electra complex

What principle does the superego work on?

The superego is said to work on the morality principle, violating the standards of the superego or even thinking of doing so may cause anxiety - anxiety is largely unconscious but may be experienced as guilt

What is the job of the ego in terms of the tripartite personality as a whole?

The Id and superego are often in conflict over morals, the job of the ego is to mediate between the two and choose how best to satisfy the demands of both the Id and Superego

What did Freud propose conflict within the three parts of the tripartite personality would cause?

Freud proposed that conflict between the three parts of the tripartite personality would lead to mental disorder.

What is ego strength?

Freud called the ability of our ego to successfully balance the demands of the Id and superego ego strength

What is the key to a healthy personality according to Freud?

According to Freud the key to a healthy personality is being able to maintain a balance between the Id, Ego and superego