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Dan Sweeney 3/15/10 Philosophy 416

The Role and Interaction of the Id, Ego, and Super-Ego

Perhaps one of Freuds greatest contributions to psychology was his discovery and subsequent writings of the id, ego, and super-ego. This structural model successfully ties in many of Freuds previous theories, such as the role of defense mechanisms. This paper will attempt to analyze the three structures with the hopes of also gaining a clearer understanding on consciousness/unconsciousness and the oedipal complex. Freud begins his writing on The Ego and the ID by defining the ego: We have formed the idea that in each individual there is a coherent organization of mental processes; and we call this his ego. It is to this ego that consciousness is attached; the ego controls the approaches to motilitythat is, to the discharge of excitations into the external world. The ego is responsible for excluding certain incompatible thoughts or wishes from the conscious mind, and it does this through an unconscious process called repression. So in that regard, the ego is both conscious and unconscious. The primary goal of psychoanalytic therapy is to remove the various resistances the ego utilizes in keeping these thoughts or wishes repressed. Oftentimes in extreme cases this defense mechanism is so powerful that the patient will be fully aware of his unpleasant

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feelings and the fact that he is repressing something, but will remain completely oblivious to the actual thing that is repressed. This is precisely what makes psychoanalysis so difficult. The way that one can come to know the unconscious is by making it conscious, but how can that happen? Freud says that an unconscious thought can only enter into consciousness after it has moved through the preconscious. This is done Through becoming connected with the word-presentations corresponding to it. These word-presentations were previously perceptions and are able to enter the consciousness again. This is perhaps why Freud valued free association so highly. Although at first glance the ego and id may seem vastly different and opposed to one another, they are in fact very much intertwined: The ego is not sharply separated from the id; its lower portion merges into it. A difference between the two is that the ego represses and splits off the parts of the id which are seen as too damaging and hurtful to bring into conscious awareness. In his therapy with Dora, Freud concludes that the source of her problems was the fact that she repressed her sexual desire for Herr K. Doras ego repressed this wish because it was seen as too unbearable of a truth to be aware of. The id follows the pleasure principle which seeks to maximize pleasure and minimize pain, without much regard to the outside world. This is seen in its purest form in infants who act completely on impulse and seek instant-gratification without any concern for anything besides themselves. The ego on the other hand operates on the reality principle. This principle seeks to appease the desires of the id, but does so in a more mature, realistic way. While an infant acting on the pleasure principle might cry and throw a tantrum when he is hungry, a more mature 10 year old acting on the reality principle might walk to the kitchen and make himself a sandwich. As Freud puts it: The ego represents what may be called reason and common sense, in contrast to the id, which contains all the passions. An

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often used analogy to describe the relationship between the id and the ego is a man (ego) on horseback trying to tame and control the stronger horse (id). Although the id and ego allowed Freud to articulate many of his previous theories, there was still something missing. He observed that his patients often had an unconscious sense of guilt which he could not adequately explain. He ended up concluding that we shall have to say that not only what is lowest but also what is highest in the ego can be unconscious. What is highest in the ego eventually lead to Freuds discovery of the super-ego. The basis for the super-ego is very interesting and is explained by tying in Freuds oedipal complex. the effects of the first identifications made in earliest childhood will be general and lasting. This leads us back to the origin of the ego ideal; for behind it there lies hidden an individuals first and most important identification, his identification with the father The oedipal complex takes place when a young boy develops an object-cathexis for his mother along with a fear and loathing of his more powerful father. To deal with this fear, the boy identifies with his father, adopting many of his qualities. The boy views his father as an obstacle, preventing him from being with his mother, and must eventually make one of two choices. He must either identify with his mother, or have an intensification of his identification with his father. Further identifying with the father is viewed as the healthier of the two choices. This brings an end to the complex and ensures the boys masculinity. Repression of the oedipal complex follows, and is only done successfully with borrowed strength, which is derived from the father. Thus, The super-ego retains the character of the father The super-ego often represents authority (father), religious beliefs, teachers, societal norms, etc. and this helps explain the phenomenon of an unconscious sense of guilt. The ego ideal (super-ego) is therefore the heir of the Oedipus complex This is a fascinating idea and explains why Freud believed the oedipal complex to

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be such an integral part of his theory. It also really emphasizes the role of the father in raising a child. There are various statistics for boys who grow up in fatherless homes and it has been shown that 85% of children that exhibit behavioral disorders come from fatherless homes [Center for Disease Control], and that 80% of rapists motivated with displaced anger come from fatherless homes [Criminal Justice and Behavior, Vol. 14 p. 403-26]. Now there may certainly be other factors at play here, but maybe Freud was onto something as far as just how important the role of the father is in regards to adopting values. Once the super-ego is adopted it begins to oppose the ego, and this conflict can be described as the contrast between what is real and what is psychical, between the external world and the internal world. The ego, then has the daunting task of acting on the reality principle, which will somewhat appease the id, while at the same time trying not to upset the super-egos ideals. So take a Friday in Lent. As a Catholic I am not supposed to eat any meat; this is an ideal imposed on me by my super-ego. My id could care less about this arbitrary belief and since I happen to enjoy meat, it urges me (unconsciously) to desire it. Now my ego must play the role of mediator and decide the best course of action. The more strong values and beliefs you possess, the more it seems that these processes struggle with each other. Perhaps this is why Freud looked down upon religion. In fact he even claimed that religion was created through the process of mastering the Oedipus complex itself. He then goes on to say that males have always been the ones most adamant about morality and religion, which he can justify with the way males resolve their oedipal complex. Obviously this got Freud into some trouble with people claiming he was sexist, but at least the explanation is there. Ultimately, Freuds discovery of the id, ego, and super-ego marked his most successful attempt to really synthesize his theory into a plausible model. The interaction of the three

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processes helps explain and make sense of the various defense mechanisms, most notably repression. The ego, which is both conscious and unconscious, is seen as the mediator of both the id and the super-ego. The ego uses the reality principle (instead of the ids pleasure principle) to please the id but at the same time to do so in a realistic, appropriate fashion. The super-ego is created following the conclusion of the oedipal complex, and internalizes the principles and ideals of the father. Rigid ideals, such as strong religious beliefs can lead to a great deal of guilt, both consciously and unconsciously. In addition to mediating the id, the ego also conflicts with the super-ego which is often comprised of abstract beliefs not necessarily useful in the real world.