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Glite Dictionary
superego

superego

4 7.9
Part of the mind that makes you feel guilty and follow rules taught by parents and teachers
  • noun
  • /ˈsuːpərˌiːɡoʊ/
  • Specialized
: superyó
  • The tension between the superego and the id often leads to inner conflict in individuals.
  • superego strength
  • relationship with superego
  • high superego

Examples

  • The Freudian concepts of the Id and the Superego are, in Jung's point of view, in constant struggle with each other.

    Hit Man (2024)

  • Well, Freud says my superego does this and my ID does this and my ego does this.

  • Must appeal to their superego or something.

    Dirty Harry (1971)

  • The Superego is our conscience.

    Hit Man (2024)

  • "We have learned to think of the superego as a kind of primitive force that tells you 'no, no, no.'"

    Academic text (1993)

  • We are very aware of the existence of the superego and there is a complex interaction between ego ID and superego.

  • Joint custody children were found to have higher ego strengths, superego strengths, and self-esteem than the single custody children.

    Blog text (6)

  • Jo Labanyi explains Ana's lack of self-definition by the absence of a superego in the figure of a stern father.

    Academic text (2003)

  • The superego may triumph—it may kill your capacity for pleasure, induce anhedonia.

    Academic text (2008)

  • In psychoanalysis, the superego is the part of the mind that serves as a moral compass, guiding our ethical decisions.

Antonyms

id
  • Specialized
10 9.7

A part of the mind with basic urges that seek immediate pleasure

Surface Forms

superego singular
superegos plural

Morphology

superego = ego (semi-transparent) = super + ego + super

The form 'super' + 'ego' is recognizable, but the specific psychoanalytic meaning ('self-critical conscience') is specialized and not a simple literal 'above the self' for learners.

Etymology

Superego comes from two parts: super- meaning 'above' and ego meaning 'I'. So the superego is like an 'above-I' that watches and judges your actions, which is why it means the conscience that can make you feel guilty when you break your own rules.