The term “ego” has a bad rep, but in fact, having a strong ego indicates mental health in contrast to a weak or big ego. In Freud’s structural model of the psyche, “I” was translated to the Latin, “ego.” Unlike the primitive “id” seen in infants, the ego develops in stages and represents the “reality principle.” It delays gratification and mediates the id’s wants, emotions, and instinctual drives with reality.
Its functions are control, judgment, tolerance, reality testing, planning, defense, memory, synthesis of information, and intellectual functioning.
The conscience or super-ego, evident around 5 years old, is idealistic and perfectionistic. It absorbs rules and standards from our parents, other authority figures, religion, and culture. When it becomes demanding, critical, or punishing it’s often referred to as your “inner critic.”
A Strong Ego
People with a strong ego see themselves and reality objectively and respond to others and life realistically. A strong ego socializes us, facilitates the exercise of our will, and anticipates, remembers, and plans for the future. Knowing and respecting oneself, such a person respects others and can establish protective boundaries. In sum, it modulates the demands of the world, our passions, and the restrictions of our super-ego. To …
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