Psychology is filled with hundreds and thousands of concept studying the human brain, human behaviour, human personality and reaction to every action in detail. Ego and Superego both set the foundation stones in the concept of psychology to study the structure of the psyche or exactly the mind. However, the man behind these concepts is Sigmund Freud, who is a leading figure in the field of psychology.
Ego vs Superego
The main difference between ego and Superego is that ego is the controlling component whereas, the Superego is the last component of the psyche. The ego is critical and realistic in characteristic whereas, the Superego gives importance to long term advantages. The other name of ego is common sense whereas, the other name of the Superego is conscience. According to Freud in his structural model, both Superego and ego are the components of the psyche. However, the third component, the Id, works with both ego and Superego in the field of psychology.
Ego refers to that part of the psyche that is realistic, and it is also the controlling component. It puts more emphasis on the long term advantages and consequences of a certain action. However, ego is also responsible for maintaining a balance between reality, Id and Superego. The relationship between ego and Id can be considered as a pleasing one where the ego tries a lot to control the Id. Ego is also considered common sense. The development of the ego has taken place after Id was developed, which was at three years of age.
Superego is the last component and moralising part of the psyche and also critical by characteristic. It nearly functions the same as ego. However, it also emphasizes other rules and norms when it deals with a certain action of a man and its consequences. The Superego comprises both ego and id. It also emphasizes on consequences of an action. The relation between the Superego and Id can be considered as contradictory. It is also known as conscience. Superego was developed after five years of the development of the ego.
Comparison Table Between Ego and Superego
| Parameters of Comparison | Ego | Superego |
| Definition | Ego refers to that part of the psyche, which is realistic and the controlling component. | Superego is the moralising and critical part of the psyche, which is the last component. |
| Emphasis | Consequences of certain actions, long term benefits. | Functions the same as ego, rules and norms while dealing with a certain action by a man and its consequences. |
| Characteristic | Balance is maintained between reality, Id and Superego. | It comprises of both ego and id and emphasizes the consequences of the action. |
| Relationship with Id | Pleasing one where the ego tries a lot to control the Id. | Contradictory in nature. |
| Generalisation | Ego is generalized as common sense. | The superego is generalized as conscience. |
| Development | The development of ego took place after Id was developed at three years of age. | Superego was developed after five years of development of the ego. |
What is Ego?
The ego is a reality-oriented part of the model. However, the ego is generally considered as a rational and organised part of the brain or model. According to the principle of reality, ego functions. Id apart the mind or psyche, which seeks fantasies, Passion, impulses and also the rest of human instincts. Unlike the Id, the ego usually keeps control of the Id. However, the control is subjected to reality and environmental factors.
Up to a certain extent, ego also pleases Id. It worries about benefits in the long run and the consequences. The ego uses two mechanisms while it tries to control Id. Those mechanisms are delayed gratification and instant gratification. It means ego negotiates with the id in the field of gratification. Ego is amended by the situations and events and is often called the common sense of an individual. It is also affected by the external environment.
What is Superego?
The importance of the Superego is to maintain a moralising role and a critical one on an individual. Superego comes with direct contradiction with the Id. According to the Superego, Id opposes the norms and rules set by society directly. The attribution of the Superego is done by conscience. It is responsible for encompassing ego ideals and spiritual goals.
Constricting the Id and ego both, the importance of the Superego is to ascribe ethical and moral norms. This is done by ego by the use of shame and guilt. Superego is the third or the last component of the mind or psyche. At five years of age, the Superego emerges. At this age, a kid follows the norms set by society and the instructions given by the parents. Its main ambition is to attain perfection and to behave appropriately according to society.
Main Differences Between Ego and Superego
- Ego refers to that part of the psyche, which is a controlling component and also realistic. On the other hand, the Superego is the moralising part of the psyche, which is the last component and also critical by characteristic.
- Ego puts more emphasis on the consequences of certain actions and the long term benefits. On the other hand, the Superego nearly functions the same as the ego, but it also emphasizes other rules and norms while dealing with a certain action by a man and its consequences.
- The ego is responsible for maintaining a balance between reality, Id and Superego. On the contrary, the Superego comprises both ego and id and emphasizes on consequences of the action.
- The relationship between ego and Id is a pleasing one where the ego tries a lot to control the Id. However, the relationship between the Superego and Id is contradictory.
- Ego is generalized as common sense. On the other hand, the Superego is generalized as conscience.
- The development of ego took place after Id was developed at three years of age. On the other hand, the Superego was developed after five years of development of the ego.
Conclusion
The words like ego and Superego are generally used interchangeably. People even get confused between them often. However, they differ from each other. Both the concepts of ego and Superego are identified by the field of psychology. They are considered as the structural model of the mind. The last component, or the Superego, has a big influence on the psyche of a person. Both the Superego and ego are present in the unconscious, conscious and preconscious state of an individual.
References
- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/21674086.1949.11925762
- https://1filedownload.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Simplypsychology.Org-Psyche.pdf