Essay Sample on The Three Components of Personality: Id, Ego, Superego

Introduction

In Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theory, he observes that human personality is woven on the complexity and has three components, which are the id, the ego, and the superego, whose interplay often results in complex human behaviors (McLeod, pp. 2-7). More often than not, the interaction of the three elements of personality influences each individual's behavior.

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The Id

Notably, this component of personality is manifested from birth and is premised on the pleasure principle. It creates a desire to meet all the underlying needs, and an individual is always thrown into anxiety when they are not met (McLeod, pp. 2-7). The id is critical for infants as it ensures that their needs are satisfied. Undeniably, this component is often disruptive and always breeds socially unacceptable behavior.

The Ego

The ego often seeks to align the individual's personality with reality. Freud observes that the ego checkmates the id and ensures that the impulses generated by the id are expressed within the confines of reality (McLeod, pp. 2-7). Notably, the ego is anchored on the reality principle, and it seeks to guarantee the satisfaction of the id's desires in a socially acceptable manner. Further, the ego plays an instrumental role in discharging tension that is brought by unmet impulses (McLeod, pp. 2-7).

The Superego

The superego helps in creating guidelines that shape an individual's judgments (McLeod, pp. 2-7). It plays an integral role in aligning one's personality with the moral standards acquired from parents and society. More importantly, the superego strives to civilize an individual's behavior and curtail socially unacceptable urges created by the id. (McLeod, pp. 2-7) Also, it directs the ego to embrace idealistic standards rather than focusing solely on realistic principles.

Defense Mechanisms

Defense mechanisms refer to the unconscious use of psychological strategies to protect an individual from tension or anxiety that emanates from unacceptable feelings and thoughts (McLeod, pp. 2-7). When the id and the superego weigh down an individual, defense mechanisms steps in to alleviate them from the arising tension. Notably, defense mechanisms are made self-protective by the unconscious operation of different psychological strategies that seek to manage the id and the superego when they become too demanding (McLeod, pp. 2-7). Some examples of defense mechanisms include repression, rejection, rationalization, reaction formation, denial, and projection.

Qualities Characterizing Psychological Disorders

A psychological disorder involves a clinical disturbance that affects an individual's cognitive behavior that is reflected in the dysfunctionality in the biological and psychological development of effective mental functioning (Claridge and Caroline, pp. 66-75). Further, it encompasses behavioral and psychological disruptions that adversely affect an individual's multiple areas of life. Psychological disorders are characterized by the following qualities;

Intellectual Disability

Notably, this developmental disorder is characterized by retardation in intellectual growth and functioning. These limitations are often established through IQ tests, where scores below 70 demonstrate underlying limitation (Hollandsworth Jr, pp. 11-35).

Autism Spectrum Disorder

ASD involves repetitive patterns of behaviors that are restricted, and is accompanied by continued deficits in social interaction in different stages of life (Claridge and Caroline, pp. 66-75). Understandably, this disorder often manifests during the early stages of life, and the symptoms always result in significant disruption of vital areas of life, such as social functioning.

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder involves oscillation of mood that is accompanied by unplanned changes in activity and energy levels (Hollandsworth Jr, pp. 11-35). Also, the disorder results in the experience of shifts between depression and god moods. Understandably, elevated moods are often referred to as mania, which is characterized by excessive confidence and irritability.

Acute Stress Disorder

Worth noting is that this disorder involves severe anxiety that emerges after an individual was subjected or exposed to a traumatic event such as accidents, war, and natural disasters (Claridge and Caroline, pp. 66-75). Still, this disorder may cause an individual to depict dissociative behaviors such as vivid flashbacks, distressing memories of the traumatic event, and damaged emotional responsiveness.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

It always develops when individuals became exposed to an event that threatened their lives, such as sexual violence or serious injury. PSTD's symptoms include reliving the traumatic event and disassociation with things that reminds an individual of the event (Claridge and Caroline, pp. 66-75). Further, it may result in constant nightmares, bursts of anger, and difficulty in recalling every aspect of the event.

Biopsychosocial Models

Biopsychosocial models encompass three basic components that are biological, psychological, and social elements (Hollandsworth Jr, pp. 11-35). The framework is anchored on the interplay of all these components in the life of an individual. The models illuminate the underlying biological factors and how they are embedded with psychological conditions and social elements such as economic and cultural backgrounds to improve the overall health of an individual (Claridge and Caroline, pp. 66-75). More imperatively, the model has been embraced in viewing illnesses because it provides a comprehensive explanation of the "mind-body connection."

Labeling Controversy

The categorization of diagnostic labels is often done by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) that solely focuses on observable behavioral traits. Diagnosis is often conducted by assigning a particular number on them, such as 3 out of 8 (Claridge and Caroline, pp. 66-75). The controversy of diagnostic labels stems from their inability to observe the complexity of an individual's mind. Labeling hardly seeks to address an individual's emotional life and how they adapt to dealing with their conflicts (Hollandsworth Jr, pp. 11-35). Moreover, diagnostic labels do not consider the underlying issues that are attributed to a person's present behavior.

Comparing Therapeutic Approaches

Forms of Therapy Application

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) ACT is premised on situational awareness and mindfulness. It encourages an individual to accept negative feelings and emotions (Hanrahan et al., pp. 120-132). Further, it assists in developing an adaptive strategy that prevents the emotions from defining an individual.

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) Cognitive analytic therapy (CAT) DBT seeks to control an individual's emotions and behaviors that may affect their interaction with other people. The therapy is often used in helping individuals with personality disorders (Hanrahan et al., pp. 120-132).

Family therapy Motivational interviewing CAT helps individuals in reflecting on their childhood and the need to learn from such past experiences to cope with present situations (Hanrahan et al., pp. 120-132). In this approach, a therapist will urge individuals to change their perceptions about situations and how to respond to them.

Supportive psychotherapy Psychodynamic psychotherapy The approach involves bringing family members together and allowing them to communicate with each other under the guidance of a therapist. It seeks to build a familial bond to address the underlying psychological disorder.

Works Cited

Claridge, Gordon, and Caroline Davis. Personality and psychological disorders. Routledge, 2013, pp. 66-75.

Hanrahan, Fidelma, et al. "A meta-analysis of cognitive therapy for worry in generalized anxiety disorder." Clinical psychology review 33.1 , 2013, pp.120-132.

Hollandsworth Jr, James G. The physiology of psychological disorders: Schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. Springer Science & Business Media, 2013, pp. 11-35.

McLeod, Saul. "Theories of personality." Retrieved on January 15 (2014): 2017, pp. 2-7.