Why do people sometimes make irrational choices? Why do you feel guilty when you’ve done something wrong, even if no one catches you? Why do you sometimes have to fight against your own desires? According to Freud, this is because of a constant battle inside us: a battle between desires, reality and morality.
In 1923, Freud argued that our personality is not a single entity, but consists of three forces: the id, the ego and the superego. These three elements develop at different times in life and together determine how we think, feel and act.
These forces do not operate separately, but constantly clash and influence each other. The id wants instant gratification, the superego imposes moral standards, and the ego tries to find a balance between the two. Freud saw the personality as a dynamic system in which these three forces constantly direct and adjust our behavior.
According to Freud, some parts of our personality are there from birth. They cause us to act without thinking, purely from instinct. Other parts develop later and help control impulses so that we make choices that fit within reality and social expectations.
These three forces are not physical parts of the brain, but systems within the psyche. Freud called this whole thing “der psychischer Apparat,” or “the psychic apparatus. He saw it as a mechanism that directs our thinking and behavior. The constant struggle between desires, reality and morality forms the basis of how we function as human beings.
What are Id, Ego and Superego?
According to Freud’s psychoanalytic theory, the human mind consists of three forces: the id, the ego and the superego. Together they form the basis of personality and determine how a person thinks, feels and acts.
- The id (desires) is the most primitive part. This part contains instincts and urges, such as hunger, aggression and lust. It wants instant gratification without thinking about rules or consequences.
- The ego (reality) mediates between desires and reality. It considers what is possible and seeks a balance between desire and what is socially acceptable.
- The superego (morality) represents the conscience. It guards norms and values and provides a sense of right and wrong.
Although each of these three forces has its own function, they always work together. Sometimes they clash, sometimes they reinforce each other. Freud saw this as an ongoing struggle that shapes our behavior.
The id: the source of instincts and desires
The id is the only part of the personality that is present from birth. According to Freud, it is the most primitive and instinctive force within the psyche. The id operates completely unconsciously and drives us with pure drives and desires, without regard to logic, morality or reality.
The fun principle
The id operates on the pleasure principle: every need must be met immediately, regardless of the consequences. You can see this in babies, for example, who cry when they are hungry or feel discomfort. They cannot wait or reason, because their personality is still completely controlled by the id. The ego and superego only develop later.
Even in adults, the id remains present. If you are hungry, your first impulse will be to eat something immediately. But because you have a developed ego, you can put it off until an appropriate time. Nevertheless, the id always remains active in the unconscious.
The primal drives: Eros and Thanatos
Freud argued that the id is driven by two fundamental forces:
- Eros (life instinct): This instinct makes us want to survive. It drives basic needs such as breathing, eating and sex. The energy that comes from this is what Freud called libido.
- Thanatos (death instinct): This instinct focuses on destruction and aggression. Freud believed that this force can be directed both inward and outward. Inwardly it leads to self-destruction, outwardly to aggression toward others.
Freud thought that the life instinct (Eros) is ultimately stronger than the death instinct (Thanatos), which is why people do not allow themselves to be destroyed, but continue to strive for survival and growth.
The id in daily life
Although we learn to control the id, it remains a powerful driving force. The id does not change through experience and always remains in search of instant gratification. In adult life, this manifests itself in impulses, desires and unconscious fantasies. When the id does not get what it wants, it can create tension. According to Freud, the id sometimes tries to resolve that tension by imagining the desired object, such as daydreaming about food when you are hungry.
The id is the primal force within us that makes us desire, dream and react impulsively. But without the influence of the ego and superego, it would completely determine our behavior – and that is not always helpful in everyday life.
Also read: what is psychosexual development?
The ego: the mediator between drift and reality
Whereas the id is aimed purely at immediate gratification, the ego develops to keep these urges in check and in line with reality. According to Freud, the ego emerges from the id and learns to deal with the demands of the outside world. The ego ensures that impulses are not simply followed, but in a way that is socially acceptable and attainable.
The ego is “that part of the id that is changed by the direct influence of the external world ”
(Freud, 1923, p. 25)
The ego and the reality principle
The ego operates according to the reality principle. This means that it does not fulfill the id’s desires directly, but first weighs what is possible and sensible. It considers the consequences of an action and seeks a solution that both satisfies the id and fits within the rules of society.
The ego functions in all layers of the mind: the conscious, the subconscious and the unconscious. It cannot simply suppress the urges of the id, but tries to express them appropriately. This makes the ego the deciding factor in the personality: it determines how and when impulses are carried out.
Secondary process thinking
Because the id has no patience, the ego needs a way to postpone desires. It does this with secondary process thinking: a rational, problem-solving approach. If an impulse cannot be followed immediately, the ego looks for another way to fulfill the desire at an appropriate time.
This is called a reality test: the ego examines whether an action is feasible and sensible. For example, if you are in a long meeting and get hungry, the id would force you to eat something immediately. But the ego makes you wait until the meeting is over. To temporarily suppress the feeling of hunger, you can imagine a sandwich – a form of delayed gratification. Once the meeting is over, you can eat appropriately.
Like the id, the ego seeks pleasure and the avoidance of tension, but in a realistic way. Unlike the id, the ego is not chaotic or impulsive, but logical and calculated.
The ego and the lack of morality
The ego does not consider good or evil. Something is good to the ego as long as it is an effective way to relieve tension and satisfy desire without causing major problems. Thus, the ego has no moral compass. That is the job of the superego.
A weak ego may have difficulty controlling id. If the ego has too little control, a person may act impulsively and thoughtlessly. Freud argued that in such a case, the ego lacks the direction to safely control the id.
The metaphor of the horse and rider
Freud compared the relationship between the id and the ego to a horse and a rider:
The ego is “like a man on horseback, having to keep the horse’s superpower in check.“
(Freud, 1923, p. 15)
The id is the horse: strong, full of energy and driven by instinct. The ego is the rider, who must direct and control the horse. But if the rider is too weak, the horse will decide where to go. This means that without a strong ego, the id will prevail and someone will be driven by impulsive urges.
Thus, the ego plays a crucial role in balancing our desires with reality. But without the superego, which represents our norms and values, the ego would act purely rationally with no moral sense. This brings us to the third force of Freud’s theory.
The superego: the inner moral voice
The superego is the last part of the personality to develop. This part of the psyche contains all the moral standards and ideals we inherit from our parents and society. The superego helps us judge what is right and wrong and acts as an inner guide in making choices.
The superego’s task is to refine and civilize our behavior. It suppresses the unacceptable tendencies of the id and tries to make the ego act according to ideals rather than only realistic considerations. This moral compass is present at all levels of the psyche: in the conscious, the subconscious and the unconscious.
The superego develops in early childhood, at the time when a child begins to identify with a parent of the same sex. It transmits the norms and values of parents and the broader society and motivates a person to behave in a socially responsible and acceptable manner.
The main function of the superego is to control the id’s impulses, especially those that are socially forbidden, such as aggression and unrestricted sexual desires. In addition, the superego urges the ego to pursue not only realistic goals, but also moral and idealistic goals. It demands not only that a person comply, but also that he or she strive for perfection.
The two parts of the superego
The superego consists of two parts: the conscience and the ideal self.
The conscience
Conscience contains all the information about what is considered bad by parents and society. These are behaviors that are frowned upon and often lead to punishment, guilt or regret.
Conscience can punish the ego by evoking feelings of guilt. For example, if a person gives in to an impulse of the id, the superego can trigger a feeling of shame or remorse. This mechanism causes people to behave morally even when there are no immediate consequences or punishments.
The ideal self
The ideal self, also called the ego ideal, is a picture of how a person should be. It includes ambitions, how one should treat others and how one should behave as a member of society.
The norms and rules of the ideal self come from what parents and other authorities see as good behavior. When a person conforms to these norms, the superego provides a sense of pride, self-esteem and satisfaction. When behavior does not conform to the ideal self, the superego can evoke guilt as punishment.
When the ideal self is too high, a person may constantly feel like a failure. This can lead to perfectionism, insecurity and a constant fear of not being good enough. The norms of the superego are largely formed in childhood, depending on the upbringing and values a child is taught.
Thus, the superego acts as an inner judge, constantly assessing whether our behavior conforms to the moral standards we have learned. Together with the id and the ego, it forms the three forces that guide our psyche.
The fundamental dilemma
When we talk about the id, the ego and the superego, it is important to realize that these are not three separate parts with rigid boundaries. Together they form a dynamic system that is in constant motion. Their interaction determines how a person thinks, feels and behaves.
Because these three forces often have opposite desires and demands, inner conflicts inevitably arise. The id wants instant gratification, the superego wants moral perfection, and the ego tries to strike a balance between them.
These are recognizable situations in which the id, ego and superego come into conflict. Each example shows how these three forces struggle to gain the upper hand in various everyday situations:
- The Forgotten Wallet – Lisa finds a wallet on the street. The id wants to keep the money, the superego tells her to return it, and the ego seeks a middle ground by trying to track down the owner.
- The candy cabinet temptation – Tom wants to lose weight, but sees a chocolate bar. The id wants to eat immediately, the superego forbids it, and the ego decides to take a small piece as a compromise.
- The deadline and Netflix – Emma needs to finish an important assignment but wants to watch a series. The id chooses relaxation, the superego demands discipline, and the ego allows one episode as a reward after an hour of work.
- The angry customer – David receives a rude customer. The id wants to react angrily, the superego wants to remain polite, and the ego decides to remain calm but stand up for itself.
- The parking spot discussion – Sandra and another motorist want the same parking spot. The id wants to park quickly, the superego thinks the other should have priority, and the ego chooses to drive on quietly and find another spot.
- The temptation of cheating – Mark is in a happy relationship, but is attracted to a colleague. The id wants to give in to the temptation, the superego reminds him of his loyalty, and the ego decides to keep its distance and remain professional.
- The impulsive purchase – Sophie sees an expensive coat she doesn’t need. The id wants to buy immediately, the superego says she should spend her money wisely, and the ego suggests she think for a few days first.
- Peer pressure at the pub – Tim is at the pub with friends and is encouraged to drink an extra shot. The id wants to party, the superego says he must remain responsible, and the ego decides to have one drink and then switch to water.
- The Morning Alarm – Jasper has to get up early for work, but his bed is so comfortable. The id wants to stay in bed, the superego demands discipline, and the ego proposes a compromise: snooze for five more minutes and then get out.
- The unfair chance of success – Emma gets the chance to cheat on an exam. The id wants to succeed without effort, the superego thinks that is unfair, and the ego decides to work hard and stay honest.
Freud introduced the concept of ego strength to describe the ego’s ability to handle these stresses. A strong ego can balance id and superego pressures and respond flexibly to different situations. If the ego is too weak, a person may be impulsive or overly inhibited. If the ego is too rigid, it can lead to rigidity and an inability to adapt.
According to Freud, here lies the fundamental dilemma of human existence: the demands of the psychic apparatus are often incompatible with each other. This means that inner conflicts are inevitable. How well a person deals with this depends on the strength and resilience of the ego.
An imbalance in your personality
According to Freud, a healthy personality is all about balance. The ego must effectively mediate between the desires of the id, the moral demands of the superego and reality. When these three forces are balanced, a stable and well-adjusted personality emerges. But when an imbalance develops, it can lead to problems in behavior and thinking.
A person with a dominant id is impulsive and uninhibited. He or she acts purely on instinct and drive for instant gratification, without concern for consequences. In extreme cases, this can lead to reckless or even criminal behavior, completely ignoring social rules and norms.
On the other hand, too strong a superego can lead to an overly moralistic and strict personality. Someone with a dominant superego can be very judgmental and show little understanding for others. Anything that does not fit within his or her strict moral framework is seen as wrong, leaving little room for nuance or compassion.
An overly dominant ego can also be problematic. A person can become so focused on reality, rules and appropriateness that there is no room left for spontaneity or flexibility. This can result in a rigid way of thinking, where change or playfulness is avoided and everything must strictly follow the rules.
When the id and the superego clash, the ego must act as a mediator. The ego has several defense mechanisms at its disposal to reduce anxiety and tension. These defense mechanisms help to mitigate conflicts between urges, morality and reality so that a person is not completely overwhelmed by inner conflict. Ultimately, the ego’s job is to find a balance so that the individual can adapt to the world without losing himself in impulsivity, guilt or rigidity.
Freud’s influence and criticism of his theories
Freud’s theory of the id, ego and superego has profoundly influenced psychology and philosophy. His ideas about the unconscious, inner conflicts and psychic structures laid the foundation for psychoanalysis and continue to recur in therapy, art and popular culture to this day. Many psychologists and psychiatrists, such as Carl Jung and Erik Erikson, built on his work or developed alternative approaches. Freud’s concepts also continue to play an important role outside of psychology, in literature, film and philosophy.
Yet Freud’s theories have also often been criticized. One of the biggest objections is that his work is not scientifically testable. Modern psychology places a high value on empirical evidence, and Freud’s theories are largely based on case studies and introspection rather than experiments and hard data. Many of his ideas, such as the Oedipus complex and the role of sexuality in childhood, are considered speculative or exaggerated by contemporary scientists.
In addition, Freud has been accused of his theories being too pessimistic. His image of man as a being constantly struggling with repressed urges and guilt does not align with modern research on positive psychology and human development. Critics point out that people are driven not only by inner conflicts, but also by growth, creativity and social connectedness.
Yet many of Freud’s insights are still relevant today. His theory of defense mechanisms is still used to explain human behavior, and his ideas about the unconscious remain influential in psychotherapy and neuroscience. Freud’s work may not be an exact science, but it has undeniably contributed to how we think about the human mind.
Summary
Freud’s theory of the id, ego and superego describes how different forces within the psyche are in constant conflict and together determine our behavior.
- The id is the source of instincts and desires and seeks immediate gratification.
- The ego mediates between the id and reality, seeking balance and proposing delayed gratification.
- The superego represents norms and values and strives for morality and perfection.
A healthy personality occurs when these three forces are in balance. If the id is too strong, a person becomes impulsive; if the superego dominates, a person can become rigid and moralistic; too dominant an ego can make a person too rational and aloof.
Although Freud’s theory has been highly influential, there has also been criticism. His ideas are difficult to prove scientifically and are sometimes seen as too negative and speculative. Yet his work remains relevant in psychology and in broader cultural and philosophical discussions.
Freud’s concepts offer no exact answers, but still help in understanding the complex and contradictory nature of the human mind.
- The Ego and the Id, Sigmund Freud
- The unconscious, Sigmund Freud
- Introduction to psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud
Resources
- Freud, S. (1920). Beyond the pleasure principle. SE, 18: 1-64.
- Freud, S. (1923). The ego and the id. SE, 19: 1-66.