Today, we're talking about SUPEREGO.

What is SUPEREGO?

SUPEREGO represents the internalized moral standards that we acquire through society and our parents. It acts as a kind of conscience, guiding us to make ethical choices and striving for perfection. It operates on the morality principle, often seen in opposition to the desires of ID. It helps us control impulses coming from the ID, making our behaviour less selfish, and more virtuous.

However, being completely under the control of superego is also not the best choice to make. You might be thinking that superego is the best/most important component to have, right? But no.

And here's why.

Here are the disadvantages of excess superego :

1. Guilt and Anxiety : when one fails to meet its high expectations and/or standards.

2. Rigid Morality : may promote inflexible thinking, making it difficult to adapt to different contexts and/or to show compassion or affection.

3. Conflict with desires : internal conflict with ID's impulses leading to stress and frustration.

   In short, "LOG KYA KAHENGE" part of your personality.

A great example of an individual who is under the control of superego is Mr. Qureshi, Farhan's father in the movie 3 IDIOTS.

Mr. Qureshi exemplifies superego by placing strict intentions on his son to pursue a career in engineering valuing social stability above Farhan's passion for photography. His adherence to this societal ideal blinds him to Farhan's own desires, imposing his own vision of success without considering his son's happiness. His dialogue, "AREY HASENGE LOG, KAHENGE FINAL YEAR ME AAKE CHHOD DIYA" and "KAPOOR SAHAB KEH RAHE THE KI KHUSHKISMAT HO KI TUMHARA BETA I.C.E ME PADHTA HAI, WO KYA SOCHENGE?!", are the perfect depictions of it.

To simplify everything, the next part will provide a summary of the ID, Ego, and Superego and how it works, who resolves the conflict, how does it stay balanced, etc.

I hope this has provided you with a little insight and I hope you enjoyed reading :)

Stay tuned, the quest continues!