Question

A man feels extremely guilty after having an extra-marital affair. According to the psychodynamic perspective, which of the following is responsible for this anxiety? (A) The id (B) The ego (C) The superego (D) The libido

Short answer

The superego

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Psychodynamic Perspective

The psychodynamic perspective, developed by Freud, explains human behavior and feelings by focusing on the interplay between different parts of the psyche: the id, ego, and superego.

Define Each Component

The id is responsible for primitive desires and urges. The ego deals with reality and tries to satisfy the id's desires in a socially acceptable way. The superego is the moral conscience and strives for perfection by upholding societal rules.

Relate the Situation to the Components

The man feels guilty because his actions (having an extra-marital affair) conflict with his internalized societal rules and personal morals. This conflict causes anxiety and guilt.

Identify the Responsible Component

The superego is responsible for the man's guilt and anxiety as it represents the moral standards and values that he has violated.

Choose the Correct Answer

The correct answer is (C) The superego.

Key concepts

Id

The id is the most primitive part of our psyche. It operates on the pleasure principle, which means it seeks immediate gratification of all desires, needs, and urges.
The id is present from birth and is responsible for our most basic drives, such as hunger, thirst, and sex.
Because it wants what it wants without thinking about the consequences, the id is often considered impulsive and irrational.
Think of the id as the inner child who throws a tantrum when it doesn't get a cookie right away!

Ego

The ego acts as a mediator between the id and reality. It operates on the reality principle, meaning it tries to satisfy the id’s desires in a realistic and socially appropriate way.
The ego helps us navigate the complexities of the real world. It's like a negotiator, balancing what we want with what's actually achievable.
For example, if you're hungry but in a meeting, the ego helps you to wait until it's over to eat.
The ego is rational and realistic, aiming to meet the desires of the id without bringing negative consequences.

Superego

The superego represents our moral conscience. It strives for perfection by upholding societal rules and personal values.
Think of the superego as the internal critic that judges our actions based on moral standards.
It develops through interactions with parents and society, internalizing societal norms and values.
In the scenario where a man feels guilty after an extra-marital affair, it is the superego that triggers this guilt and anxiety.
The superego acts to reprimand the ego for giving in to the id’s desires that clash with moral values.

Moral Conscience

Moral conscience is part of the superego that specifically judges right from wrong. It's that little voice inside your head that tells you if something is morally acceptable.
This voice is shaped by cultural norms, societal expectations, and personal values.
When someone does something that goes against their moral conscience, they experience feelings of guilt and shame.
In the case of feeling guilty after an affair, the man's moral conscience (part of the superego) is at work, making him feel anxious and guilty for violating societal rules and personal morals.
Moral conscience helps us stay aligned with ethical conduct and societal expectations.