Superego

The superego, one of three part of Freud’s structural model of the psyche, represents our moral compass, guiding behavior and acting as an internal censor that reflects parental and societal standards of right and wrong. The superego develops throughout childhood, largely through identification with parents and other influential figures. The superego is made up of the conscience (punishes misbehavior with guilt or shame) and the ego-ideal (rewards good behavior with pride). It also influences how we perceive our actions and those of others. The superego develops during early childhood, beginning around age five, as children internalize the values, rules, and expectations of their parents and other significant figures. It interacts with the id (primitive desires) and the ego (reality-oriented self). The ego might try to mediate between the impulsive desires of the id and the moral constraints of the superego. An overactive superego can lead to excessive guilt and self-criticism, while an underdeveloped one can result in impulsive and antisocial behavior.