reality principle
1
8.9
- noun
- /riˈælɪti ˈprɪnsəpəl/
- Formal
:
principio de realidad
- For most adolescents, growing up means a confrontation with the reality principle.
Examples
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This will help with the acceptance of the reality principle.
Blog text (4) -
He has a grip on a certain, uh, unique reality principle, yes.
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That reality principle thing could work for you, too.
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You do not develop your reality principle sufficiently.
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This process is critical in allowing the child to proceed from the pleasure principle to the reality principle.
Academic text (1997) -
Because of the diversity of cultural symbolism, it is not possible for the social scientist to assume that individuals in different cultures are dealing with the same reality principle.
Academic text (1996) -
But there exist insidious counter-culture cells within society that say, "You don't ever have to grow up if you side with us and our political agenda... we own a slice of public reality that allows you to forego most of the frustrations of the reality principle."
Blog text (4) -
"See, even in a moment of pleasure—of beauty—I’m still tied to the reality principle, still gazing at the meter, knowing that I’m going to have to pay.
Academic text (2008) -
The ego operates based on the reality principle, which strives to satisfy the id's desires in realistic and socially appropriate ways.
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For most adolescents, growing up means a confrontation with the reality principle.
Antonyms
- Specialized
1
8.6
A strong drive to get what you want right away without thinking about bad results
How Realistic
26
3.9
- Formal
1
8.9
30
5.6
- Informal
45
4.1
112
3.8
Surface Forms
Morphology
The compound is directly compositional: 'principle' (a foundational rule) applied to 'reality' (what is real), so its basic meaning — a rule or tendency governed by the real world — can be inferred from the parts. This noun+noun pattern is cross-linguistically common and involves no large metaphorical shift, so a B1 learner who knows both words should grasp the general sense (even if they miss specialized psychoanalytic nuance).
Etymology
Reality principle comes from a simple picture: imagine a child who wants candy now but learns to wait because parents, school, or work need come first. So, the phrase means choosing the 'real world' needs over instant 'wants'.