Freud’s Theory of

Mind

idthe part of your mind that is completely

unconscious but has hidden needs and desires, and

seeks immediate gratification of impulses(e.g. aggression, sex, basic needs)

Unconscious What is the unconscious?

the part of your mind in which there are

thoughts and feelings that you do not realize you

have and cannot consciously think

of.

egothe part of your mind with which you

think and take action, works by reason and is the decision

making part of the mind. The ego controls the id’s impulses to

behave in ways that are socially acceptable

superegopart of your mind

that tells you whether what you are doing is

morally right or wrong, incorporates the learned

values and morals of society. The superego

floods the ego with feelings of guilt and shame when we do something wrong.

Lights, Camera…….Action! Create a script that shows what the id, ego, and superego would be “thinking” in the following scenario.

It is a sweltering hot summer day and you are stuck in noon rush hour traffic. Just as you reach a point in traffic that has come to a dead stop, your AC unit quits working and the person behind you

can’t seem to stop honking his car horn.

Your mom sends you out shopping for some boring school clothes. As you walk through the mall you see the newest and coolest something that you have been wanting for...like...ever. You have just enough money to buy either the clothes you are

supposed to get or the cool something you want.

Before you go...On your index card answer 2 of the following:

1. What is something you learned today that you didn’t know before?

2. What questions do you have about personality or Freud after today?

3. Give an example how the id, ego, or superego show themselves in real life.