Before trying to find answers to this, first you know ego meaning in Hindi. Ego in hindi is ahankar it is necessary to understand what the ego is all about.
According to the Czech Sigmund Freud, a neurologist considered the father of psychoanalysis (a clinical field that studies the human psyche), there are levels of consciousness between the different entities that make up the human mind.
According to the theory developed by Freud at the beginning of the 20th century – around 1923 – these levels are classified by three distinct names. One of them is the ego (the other two, called “id” and “superego” will be discussed later on).
The ego is, therefore, the instance of the human mind that corresponds to the reality principle.
The ego functions as the center of consciousness in contrast to the upper core (the “I”) and, therefore, has the function of maintaining mental balance.
In this way, the ego functions as the balancer of the psyche. This is because it has to fulfill at least some of the wishes of the “id”, without violating the orders of the superego, attentive to the outside world.
It is the lowest element of the mind and works by building the concept of reality.
In another context, apart from Freud’s theories, the ego is popularly the image we have of ourselves.
In this way, the sense of “egocentric”, with an overvaluation of the ego, is a creation of an exaggerated image that each person has of himself.
The ego, as an individual’s consciousness, determines actions and instincts in the face of events that manifest themselves in the real world.
It also contributes to the individual’s personality.
Therefore, it ends up becoming so important for philosophy and psychoanalysis.
Generally speaking, it is through the ego that we are able to balance what we want (desires) and what we have (reality), also linked to the id and the superego.
In this way, we are able to determine the social values that mark our existence.
Etymologically, the word “ego” is derived from the Latin “ilud”. The term means the personal pronoun in the third person, that is, the one that replaces the object to be designated.
Another word that can designate the ego is “identification”.
This is because it is formed by instincts, and has intimate links with each individual’s biology. That’s why the word is so important to understand the definition of the ego.
The differences between ego, id and superego
To try to understand the differences between ego, id and superego, it is necessary to understand the description of each one of them.
Below, a little of the characteristics of each of these parts of the human mind.
Id
The id is the innate component of individuals. That is, people are born with it.
Consists of primitive urges, desires and urges, formed mainly by pleasure.
Thus, the Id works by the pleasure principle, seeking immediate gratification of all desires.
It also works in virtue of needs of a primary order, that is, to meet physiological needs.
If not, there is a result of anxiety and/or tension.
As an example, increased hunger or thirst will provoke and produce immediate attempts to eat or drink, which can lead to symptoms such as irritation or stress if this does not happen in a small period of time.
This is a very important structure in early life as it ensures that the basic needs of the individual as a child are met.
As there is still no use of speech or words, when the child is hungry or uncomfortable, the primary reaction will be crying, and this will remain so until the id’s demands are duly met.
From it, other parts that make up the human personality develop, such as the superego itself.
Ego
As we have already seen, the ego arises from human interaction with reality, adapting its primitive instincts (in this case, the Id) to the reality in which we live.
It is the balance mechanism of the psyche, acting in the function of regulating the impulses of the Id, trying to satisfy them as much as possible, in a more balanced way.
Because of the ego, it is possible to maintain sanity and create personality traits.
As with the Id, this occurs from the first years of an individual’s life, when it begins to manifest.
It is important to highlight that the reality to which the ego is submitted is related to the sociocultural environment in which the individual is inserted.
By assimilating this milieu, it then begins to strive to satisfy the id’s desires in a realistic and socially appropriate way.
It acts considering the costs and benefits of any action, before deciding to act on giving in or giving up on a given impulse generated by the id.
These urges can be satisfied through a delayed gratification process.
That is, according to the id’s appeal, the ego will eventually allow certain behavior only in places or circumstances suitable for it.
According to the most in-depth studies on the subject, the ego also discharges the tension created by unfulfilled impulses through the secondary process.
In it, the ego tries to create and reproduce an object in the real world that is equivalent to the image created by the id in the mental process.
Super ego
While the ego develops from the id, the process is similar with the superego.
This, in turn, also has its definition linked to the ego.
It consists of the individual’s moral and cultural values, in addition to being related to the representation of ideals.
Its function is to act as a kind of “adviser” for the ego, alerting to what is or is not morally accepted, according to the principles absorbed by the person throughout life.
The superego is the latest of the elements of the human psyche to be developed, according to Freud.
According to the psychoanalyst’s studies, he starts presenting himself from the age of five.
After that, it begins to intensify with the gradual increase in contact with society – through the school, for example – and with a better interpretation of the relationship of social relations by people.
The rules of moral conduct, these values and judgments, are linked to so-called moral standards. Over time, they become behavior guides.
They are internalized and, as the subject matures, they will serve as a compass for defining right and wrong throughout life.
How important is the ego?
To understand the importance of the ego, it is essential to have an understanding of the other elements of the human psyche from Freud onwards.
This is because it is important to consider that, if you give in to the id in excess, you become wanton and wanton.
However, if you submit too much to the superego and its impositions, you run the risk of going mad. In this way, the ego is the ultimate regulator of the mind.
According to Freud, the ego holds the reservoir of memories, experiences, thoughts, ideas, feelings and sensations.
Furthermore, it is responsible for the motor system and the connection with the outside world.
The ego still has a kind of obligation with the means of defense, even if they are eventually unconscious, acting to preserve the psychic apparatus.
This includes projections, rationalizations, regressions, denials, among others.
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