Sigmund Freud Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic theory is that human mind is composed of three elements – Id, Ego and Super ego that constantly co-operates and battles with each other resulting in the net human behavior.

Id The id represents biological forces. The id is governed by the "pleasure principle“. Thanatos, the death instinct, accounts for the instinctive violent urges of humankind. Hollywood has capitalized on the id. Box office success is highly correlated with movies that stress sex or violence - or both.

Id seeks satisfaction, period. The id doesn't care about reality or about the needs of anyone else; nothing else is important. Babies have no sense of others’ needs. They don’t care whether their parents are sleepy, hungry, sick, or stressed.  If the id gets too strong, impulses and self gratification take over the person's life. 

Ego The ego is the surface of the personality, the part you show the world. The ego is governed by the "reality principle ." The ego develops with experience, and accounts for developmental differences in behavior.

Ego – age 3 Ego understands that other people have needs and desires. Ego understands that impulsive or selfish behavior can have consequences. Ego's job is to meet the needs of the Id, while taking into consideration the reality of the situation.   Ego is the strongest of the three

Superego The superego consists of two parts: the conscience and the ego-ideal. The conscience is the familiar metaphor of angel and devil on each shoulder and decides what course of action to take. The ego-ideal is an idealized view of one's self. Both parts of the super-ego develop with social interactions

Superego – age 5 The Superego is the moral part of us and develops due to ethical restraints imposed by our caregivers.  Superego is the conscience as it dictates the belief of right and wrong. If the superego becomes too strong, the person is driven by rigid morals, is judgmental and unbending in his interactions with the world

Id, Ego or Superego? Infants will cry until fed A child wants to snatch a cookie but won’t if a parent is there. A child feels bad if he pushes another child down. A child who is uncomfortable, in pain, too hot, too cold, or just wants attention A child who only takes one piece of candy

Id, Ego or Superego? Exams are approaching; should I… Go home and study all night so I can be sure to get an A? … go to my girlfriend’s house to play Wii boxing and watch a movie? Go to Sue’s for a couple of hours, and then study until 11:00, so I can get a good night’s sleep?