superego

[ soo-per-ee-goh, -eg-oh ]

noun

, Psychoanalysis.

, plural su·per·e·gos.

1. the part of the personality representing the conscience, formed in early life by internalization of the standards of parents and other models of behavior.

superego

/ -ˈɛɡəʊ; ˌsuːpərˈiːɡəʊ /

noun

1. psychoanal that part of the unconscious mind that acts as a conscience for the ego, developing mainly from the relationship between a child and his parents See also id 1 ego

superego

1. In Freudian psychology, the part of the psyche that incorporates parental or community values and standards and acts as an inner check on behavior. The superego and ego , responding to social demands, are often in conflict with the primitive impulses of the id .

Word History and Origins

Origin of superego¹

1890–95; translation of German Über-Ich (Freud); super-, ego

Example Sentences

For his base, Trump functions as what I call a “permissive superego,” the sociopathic daddy who says, “Be cruel, violent and bigoted, just like me. And I will love you even more for it – as long as it serves my interests.”

From Salon

The winner, I believe, was “Fogland, Logland and Smogland,” but I secretly rooted for “Id, Ego and Superego.”

From Los Angeles Times

Disneyland was basically the birthplace of “Superego,” Gourley’s first podcasting venture in 2006.

From Los Angeles Times

No one seemed to be listening until one day Paul F. Tompkins outed himself as a fan and signal-boosted “Superego” to his large online following.

From Los Angeles Times

“Superego,” “James Bonding,” “I Was There Too,” “Mallwalkin’” — these are but a sampling of the Gourley podcast universe, to say nothing of his sundry appearances on shows like “Comedy Bang! Bang!”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• shame