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

That would just be me falling into another Western trap—it’s not Id and Superego.

From Time

Imagine that the superego comes as a low-voltage father who cannot stop struggling with his bowels.

From The Daily Beast

His words come in a torrent, an id-gush; I imagine his superego watching with its usual resignation from the balcony.

From The Daily Beast

An old superstition, like the id-ego-superego triad of the sick-minded psychologists.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• shame