Ego Psychology

Ego psychology is a theoretical perspective within the broader field of psychoanalysis or psychoanalytic psychology. The ego psychology viewpoint posits a model of mental functioning that builds on Sigmund Freud’s conceptualization of the ego and expands its definition. The ego psychological model of the mind also has implications for the treatment of psychopathology. In classical psychoanalytic theory, the mind is divided into three parts: (1) the id, (2) the ego, and (3) the superego. Freud held that the id referred to unconscious, morally unacceptable motivations and drives, such as sex and aggression, as well as related wishes and repressed—or forgotten—experiences. The superego is a term used to describe social norms, rules, and moral values and principles that influence thoughts, feelings, and actions. The ego, ...

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