ÜberIch

The Über-Ich, or superego, is a component of Sigmund Freud's structural model of the psyche, alongside the Id (das Es) and the Ego (das Ich). It represents internalized moral standards, values, and ideals that originate from parents, caregivers, and the broader culture. The superego functions as a moral conscience and as an internalized authority that judges the ego's actions and intentions, promoting socially acceptable behavior.

Development occurs in early childhood through identification with parental figures and the internalization of rules. The Über-Ich comprises two main parts: the conscience (das Gewissen), which punishes misdeeds with feelings of guilt and shame, and the ego-ideal (das Ich-Ideal), which rewards moral behavior with pride and self-satisfaction. It idealizes perfection and strives to align the ego with moral standards.

Function and dynamics involve regulating behavior by imposing moral judgments and aspirations. The superego can promote self-control and socially appropriate conduct, but when overly rigid or punitive, it may cause excessive guilt, moralism, or neurotic perfectionism. A weak or underdeveloped superego may permit impulsive or antisocial behavior.

In psychoanalytic and related contexts, the Über-Ich has been influential in shaping theories of personality and culture. It is subject to critique and reinterpretation in modern psychology, where some approaches view internalized norms as part of broader social and cognitive processes rather than a distinct structural entity. The term Über-Ich is the original German designation; in English it is commonly translated as the superego.