Chapter Sample Questions of The Ego and The Id - Study Guide by Sigmund Freud

Sample Questions

1. Compare and contrast the roles of the Id, the Ego and the Super-Ego.

Define each in terms of their roles and relation with each other, and with the Cs., Pcs. and Ucs. Look at similarities between each with respect to their unconscious parts, conscious and preconscious parts etc., their effects on the overall decisions of the individual, their vulnerability to instincts and repression. Look for similarities and differences in the roles played by each in neurotic disorders and healthy individuals, how do the roles change?

Also look at critical approaches and their views on the roles and importance of each. Also consider whether the actual components of each are widely agreed upon, if not, why not?

In conclusion, it seems that this structure of the mind consisting of the Id, Ego and Super-Ego, is useful and from it we have been able to compare, define and contrast the roles of its three main components, however the accuracy of this model is uncertain as the presence of conflicting views of the roles or even existence of each of these components, reflects.

2. How does the Super-ego introduce guilt?

Look at the development and maturation of the Super-Ego from the Ego. The super-ego, in representing learned morals and rules, reflects, generally the sentiments of one's society. Therefore the Super-ego imposes these views upon the Ego.

In brief it seems that guilt arises when the forces and instincts of the id conflict with the high morality being imposed by the Super-Ego. Expand upon this description and also consider whether or not guilt is introduced by components other than the Super-Ego - for example the Ego (its realistic perceptions) (Brenner and Segal).

In conclusion, is the data with which these ideas are proposed, reliable? What other structures of the mind have been proposed and how do they account for guilt? Etc. In sum, in looking at the way the Super-Ego introduces guilt, we must acknowledge, that having described the mechanism for this introduction, we are limiting ourselves to investigating only one theory guilt, and only one theory of the structure of the mind -so se must not feel that this mechanism whilst conclusive in this context, is exclusive nor the universally accepted one.