THE ID (“It”): functions in the irrational and emotional part of the mind. At
birth a baby’s mind is all Id - want want want. The Id is the primitive mind. It
contains all the basic needs and feelings. It is the source for libido
(psychic energy). And it has only one rule --> the “pleasure principle”:
“I want it and I want it all now”. In transactional analysis, Id
equates to "Child".
Id too strong = bound up in self-gratification
and uncaring to others
THE EGO: (“I”): functions with the rational part of the mind.
The Ego
develops out of growing awareness that you can’t always get what you
want. The Ego relates to the real world and operates via the “reality
principle”. The Ego realises the need for compromise and
negotiates between the Id and the Superego.
The Ego's job is to get the Id's pleasures but to be reasonable and
bear the long-term consequences in mind. The Ego denies both
instant gratification and pious delaying of gratification. The
term ego-strength is the term used to refer to how well the ego copes
with these conflicting forces. To undertake its work of planning,
thinking and controlling the Id, the Ego uses some of the Id's libidinal
energy. In transactional analysis, Ego equates to "Adult".
Ego too strong = extremely rational and
efficient, but cold, boring and distant
THE SUPEREGO (“Over-I”): The Superego is
the last part of the mind to develop. It might be called the moral
part of the mind. The Superego becomes an embodiment of parental and
societal values. It stores and enforces rules. It constantly strives for
perfection, even though this perfection ideal may be quite far from
reality or possibility. Its power to enforce
rules comes from its ability to create anxiety.
The Superego has two subsystems: Ego Ideal and
Conscience. The Ego Ideal provides rules for good behaviour, and standards of
excellence towards which the Ego must strive. The Ego ideal is
basically what the child’s parents approve of or value. The Conscience is the rules about what
constitutes bad behaviour. The Conscience is basically all those things
that the child feels mum or dad will disapprove of or punish.
Superego too strong = feels guilty all the
time, may even have an insufferably saintly personality
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