Superego

Superego is a component of Sigmund Freud's structural model of the psyche, alongside the id and the ego. It represents internalized moral standards, social rules, and cultural norms learned from parents, caregivers, and society. The superego develops through the process of socialization, with a key role traditionally attributed to identification with the same-sex parent during the phallic stage, leading to the internalization of prohibitions and ideals.

The superego comprises two main elements: the conscience, which punishes behavior through feelings of guilt for actions that violate internalized rules; and the ego-ideal, which rewards behavior that aligns with those standards, producing feelings of pride or self-satisfaction.

Functions of the superego include restraining the impulses of the id, guiding the ego to act in morally acceptable ways, and shaping standards for judgment about real and imagined behavior. The ego must negotiate among the demands of the id, the constraints of the superego, and the realities of the external world.

Clinical and theoretical discussions note that an overly punitive or rigid superego can contribute to excessive guilt, anxiety, and moralistic perfectionism, while a weak or underdeveloped superego may relate to impulsivity or antisocial behavior. The concept has faced critique for lacking empirical support and for its metaphorical nature, though it remains influential in discussions of moral development, internalized norms, and defense mechanisms within psychoanalytic and cultural contexts.