What is Ego | Psychology

The ego is the psychic instance identified by Sigmund Freud, in 1923, corresponding to the principle of reality. In addition to this layer, the mind also has the id, related to the principle of pleasure, and with a ruthless censor, the superego. This center of consciousness still bottom, opposed to the core of higher consciousness, the self, has as its main function to maintain the mental balance.

Therefore, the ego is the tightrope Walker of the psyche, as it has to fulfill at least some of the desires of the id, without violating the orders of superego, attentive also to the disobediences from the outside world. Nothing better than this vision of ego functions to understand because he's connected to real. He is the least element of mind and deep, transmuted into consciousness, builds the concept of reality, accepts only when passing through the careful selection and bias of their monitoring of the desires and whims of instinct and human impulses.

To understand the importance of the ego, it is necessary to consider that if he cedes too much to Wiles, id becomes debauched and profligate; to submit demands of the superego, runs the risk of losing; When you turn to the external universe, this destroys it. Thus, the ego is the ultimate regulator of the mind. According to Jung, the self is linked to the concept of ' complex ', comprising a body awareness and existential, complemented by data mnemonics. For Freud the ego keeps in its reservoir our memories, experiences, thoughts, ideas, feelings, sensations. In addition, it is responsible for the conquest of the motor system, the connection with the outside world, among many other functions that fit you.

The ego has as obligation still generate means of defence, somehow unaware, to preserve the psychic apparatus, including projections, the rationalizations, regressions, negations, among others. Freud's followers, especially those who have become disciples of Anna Freud, his daughter, they added only a few modifications to your theory, expanding on certain points. The main change is the one that relates to an enlarged perspective on this mental instance.

The annafreudianos or Ego psychologists consider the ego more release of id, as well as more than was considered by Freud. In addition, not ascribe such importance to sexuality in childhood or the key theme of the father of psychoanalysis-the Oedipus complex. According to this school, the maturation of personality is more linked to psychosocial factors than sexual implications.

Although Freud was the founder of Ego expression, referring to him as a sum of psychic factors that integrate the subconscious, central point from which originate the emotional and mental disturbances, violence and human traumas, this mental instance has always existed, constituting, as everything that exists in the universe, a form of psychic energy. Due to its reduced vibration, it prevents the human essence if express, at this stage of the evolution of man, in the sphere of consciousness. Him group our imperfections, our ' Shadows ', as Jung, thus preventing the conscious shine to reflect our I. So, the more liberated of the egóicos impulses, better and more worthy we become. Modern philosophy adopts this view, to counteract Seidade and Egotism, Essence and Ego, which in some ways mirrors the eastern point of view, between Atman – human essence – the Aham – our ego.
Translated for educational purposes.
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