What does superego mean?
The superego is a psychological term for the part of the mind that represents internalized moral standards, social expectations, and prohibitions. In Sigmund Freud’s theory of personality, it developed through the internalization of parental and cultural demands and opposed the instinctual impulses associated with the id. It is associated with restraint, self-control, perfectionism, and feelings of guilt when a person falls short of those standards. In everyday use, “superego” can humorously or metaphorically describe an overly strict conscience, especially when discussing upbringing, perfectionism, or anxiety. Although “conscience” is often treated as a synonym, the two concepts are not identical: conscience is the general capacity to distinguish right from wrong, while the superego is a more specific psychodynamic model. The word is recognized in both British and American English and is most common in psychological, educational, and literary discussion.
nounIn Freudian and later psychodynamic theory, the part of the personality that represents internalized moral and social standards and restrains instinctual impulses. In broader use, it refers to a person's internalized sense of right and wrong.
- The component of the personality in Freudian and later psychodynamic theory that embodies internalized moral and social standards and restrains instinctual impulses.
- In figurative or general use, a person's internalized moral code, self-control, or sense of right and wrong.
"Her stern upbringing seems to have created a powerful superego that makes it difficult for her to relax."
"Freud described the superego as the part of the psyche that turns social rules into internal commands."
"When the team lost, he blamed his superego for making him too afraid to take risks."
The plural is grammatically regular but uncommon, since the word is usually used in the singular or in fixed references to Freudian theory.
"The two superegos represent sharply different standards of moral behavior."
Freud’s superego is the part of the mind that says no to what you want.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does superego come from?
Superego was formed in the early twentieth century by Freud from the Latin prefix super-, meaning “over” or “beyond,” and ego, meaning “I.” The underlying word ego is Latin for “I,” while the combined term was created to name a new theoretical component of the psyche. Its related vocabulary includes egoist, egocentric, and egotism, all developed from the same Latin root.
How superego is actually used
The term originated in psychoanalysis and remains most closely associated with Freudian and psychodynamic theories. It is also used informally for an especially strict conscience or internalized sense of duty. Pronunciation differs mainly between British and American English in the final vowel sound.
Easily confused with superego
The conscience is the general faculty of judging right and wrong, whereas the superego specifically denotes a psychologically conceived system of internalized rules and restrictions.
The ego mediates between instinctual drives and external reality, while the superego represents internalized moral demands against which those drives are judged.