Freud - Structural theory
In his structural model, Freud proposed the existence of three separate areas:-
The Id is the area that contains the instinctive drives. It operates under primary process thinking, acts according to the pleasure principle, and is without a sense of time.
The ego attempts to modify the drives from the Id with external reality. It operates on the reality principle. It has aspects that are conscious, preconscious, and unconscious. It is home to the defenses mechanisms.
The super ego constantly observes a person and acts as critical agency. Freud claimed it developed from internalised values of a child's main carers. The ego ideal is part of the super ego and represents ideal attitudes and behaviour. It is useful to think of the super ego as the conscience.
- Id
- Ego
- Super ego
The Id is the area that contains the instinctive drives. It operates under primary process thinking, acts according to the pleasure principle, and is without a sense of time.
The ego attempts to modify the drives from the Id with external reality. It operates on the reality principle. It has aspects that are conscious, preconscious, and unconscious. It is home to the defenses mechanisms.
The super ego constantly observes a person and acts as critical agency. Freud claimed it developed from internalised values of a child's main carers. The ego ideal is part of the super ego and represents ideal attitudes and behaviour. It is useful to think of the super ego as the conscience.
