What is the Difference Between Ego and Superego?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The difference between the ego and superego lies in their roles within Sigmund Freud's structural model of the human psyche. Here are the key differences:
- Ego: The ego is the rational component of the personality that mediates between the instinctual desires of the id and the moral constraints of the superego. It is responsible for dealing with reality and ensures that the impulses of the id can be expressed in a socially acceptable manner. The ego functions in both the conscious, preconscious, and unconscious mind.
- Superego: The superego is the aspect of personality that holds all of our internalized moral standards and provides guidelines for making judgments. It is idealistic and starts to emerge around age five. The superego consists of two systems: the conscience, which is the "inner voice" that tells us when we have done something wrong, and the ideal self, which represents the person's idealistic standards and goals.
In summary, the ego is responsible for dealing with reality and mediating between our basic instincts and societal norms, while the superego represents our internalized moral standards and ideals.
Comparative Table: Ego vs Superego
The table below outlines the differences between the Ego and Superego:
| Feature | Ego | Superego |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | The Ego is the conscious mind that deals with reality and is responsible for expressing needs, desires, and accepting the demands of the environment. | The Superego consists of two systems: the conscience and the ideal self. It is the voice of conscience that tells us when we have done something wrong and is based on morals and judgments about right and wrong. |
| Function | The Ego's main function is to act as a referee between the Id and the environment, balancing our desires and the reality of the situation. | The Superego controls the Id's impulses, especially those which society forbids, such as sex and aggression. It attempts to make the Ego act upon idealistic standards and suppress unacceptable urges of the Id. |
| Origin | The Ego emerges during childhood as the child interacts with reality. | The Superego emerges around the age of five and incorporates the values and morals of society. |
| Decision-making | The Ego's decisions are based more on what others will think or what the consequences of an action might be. | The Superego's decisions are based more on moral values. |
| Examples | A person who works out and is very sweaty, needing to change their clothes. | A cross-country runner who knows they could cut their time and come in first if they took a shortcut, but decides not to because they would feel guilty. |
In summary, the Ego is responsible for balancing our desires and the reality of the situation, while the Superego is focused on controlling our impulses and ensuring we act in accordance with societal values and morals. Both the Ego and Superego play crucial roles in shaping our personality and behavior.
Read more:
- Ego vs Pride
- Egoism vs Egotism
- Egoist vs Egotist
- Self Respect vs Ego
- Ego vs id
- Egoism vs Altruism
- Narcissist vs Egotist
- Conscious vs Subconscious
- Good vs Evil
- Virtue vs Vice
- Ethics vs Morality
- Self Concept vs Self Esteem
- Self Respect vs Self Esteem
- Myth vs Superstition
- Pride vs Self Esteem
- Superclass vs Subclass
- Ethics vs Morals
- Inferiority vs Superiority Complex
- Conscious vs Conscience