Page 172 - DMGT402_MANAGEMENT_PRACTICES_AND_ORGANIZATIONAL_BEHAVIOUR

Unit 8: Foundations of Organisational Behaviour

The id operates according to the pleasure principle, that is, to seek pleasure, avoid pain Notes
and gain immediate gratification of its wishes. The id is the source of the libido, the
psychic energy that fuels the entire personality. Yet the id cannot act on its own; it can only
wish, image, fantasize, and demand.
2. Ego: The ego is the logical, rational, realistic part of the personality. The ego evolves from
the id and draws its energy from the id. One of the functions of the ego is to satisfy the id's
urges. But the ego, which is mostly conscious, acts according to the reality principle. It
must consider the constraints of the real world in determining appropriate times, places,
and object for gratification of the id's wishes.

According to Freud, personality is composed of three structures or systems: the id, the ego
and the superego. Their characteristics are diagrammed and described here:

Figure 8.5: Freud's Conception of the Personality

Superego
(Conscience conscious
Ego ideal) Ego preconscious
Unconscious
Id (untamed passion, sex instincts,
biological urges, aggressive and destructive
Impulses).

Structure Level of consciousness Characteristics
Id Unconscious Primitive component containing the sexual instincts,
biological urges, aggressive and destructive impulses.
Source of the libido. Operates according to the pleasure
principle, seeking immediate gratification. Impulsive,
amoral, and selfish.
Ego Largely conscious Logical, rational component, which functions to satisfy the
Partly unconscious id’s urges and carry out transactions in the real world. Acts
according to the reality principle.
Superego Both conscious and The moral component, consisting of the conscience and the
unconscious ego ideal. Sets moral guidelines, which limit the flexibility
of the ego.

Source: Samuel E Wood and Ellen Green Wood "The World of Psychology", Allyn and Bacon, Boston
(Second Edition) 1996, page 439.
3. Superego: When the child is age 5 or 6 the superego – the moral component of the
personality – is formed. The superego has two parts:
(a) The "conscience", consisting of all the behaviours for which we have been punished
and about which we feel guilty;

(b) The "ego ideal", containing the behaviours for which we have been praised and
rewarded and about which we feel pride and satisfaction.
In its quest for moral perfection, the superego, a moral guide, sets up signposts that define
and limit the flexibility of ego.

LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY 167