Question

Whats the difference between the ego and superego?

Answer 1

EGO is the component of personality that is responsible for dealing with reality, whereas SUPEREGO provides guidelines for making judgments.

Explanation:

We can learn more about those 2 by learning the basics of the 3 components of personality known as id, ego, and superego. This theory was developed by Sigmund Freud.

In a nutshell:

The Id:
The id is the only component of personality that is present from birth. This aspect of personality is entirely unconscious and includes the instinctive and primitive behaviors. The id is the source of all psychic energy, making it the primary component of personality.

The Ego:
The ego is the component of personality that is responsible for dealing with reality. The ego develops from the id and ensures that the impulses of the id can be expressed in a manner acceptable in the real world. The ego functions in both the conscious, preconscious, and unconscious mind.

The superego: (the last component to develop)
The superego is the aspect of personality that holds all of our internalized moral standards and ideals that we acquire from both parents and society, based our sense of right and wrong. The superego provides guidelines for making judgments and it begins to emerge at around age five.

Hope that helps! :-)

Sources: http://psychology.about.com/od/theoriesofpersonality/a/personalityelem.htm