In Freud's theory of personality, the self is a central concept that carries the weight of reason and reality, and is the helmsman of the mind, guiding us to find a balance between the complex inner world and the outer world. The ego follows a set of principles in dealing with the relationship between the id, the superego, and the real environment in the personality, which constitute the guidelines and guidelines for the ego's actions.
First of all, the first principle of self-adherence is the principle of reality. This means that the ego must take into account the conditions and limitations of reality in satisfying the needs of the ego. The ego does not blindly pursue the primitive impulses of the ego, but rationally analyzes the reality and makes a practical plan. For example, when we feel hungry, the ego does not let us imagine the appearance of food in a vacuum, but guides us to find food, prepare utensils, cook food, and ultimately satisfy our needs. This kind of cognition and adaptation to reality is an important embodiment of self-compliance with the principle of reality.
Secondly, the ego also plays the role of mediator in the personality structure. It needs to find a balance between the id and the superego, to reconcile the contradictions between the two. The id seeks immediate satisfaction and happiness, while the superego represents the requirements of morality and ideals. The ego needs to make trade-offs and choices between the two, ensuring that individual actions are both in line with the needs of reality and do not violate moral and ethical principles. The achievement of this balance depends on the self's perception of the environment and rational analysis of inner needs. For example, when faced with an enticing cake, the ego will weigh the ego's craving for sweets and the superego's requirement for a healthy diet, and may eventually decide to eat only a small piece of the cake that satisfies the id's needs without violating the superego's principles.
Take the famous psychologist Carl Rogers as an example, in his own psychological practice, he fully demonstrated how the self follows the principle of reality to regulate personal emotions and behaviors. Rogers believes that everyone has a tendency towards self-actualization, that is, to pursue being who they really want to be. In his process, he encourages patients to face their emotions and problems and find solutions through self-awareness and rational thinking. In this way, patients are able to grow and develop themselves within a realistic framework. Rogers' practice proves the important role of the ego principle in personal growth and mental health.
In the movie "A Beautiful Mind", we can see a more vivid example. The film tells the life of John Forbes Nash, a Nobel laureate in economics and a famous mathematician. Nash showed an extraordinary talent for mathematics at a young age, however, he also suffered from severe mental illness. Under the influence of the disease, his ego constantly drives him to pursue mathematical perfection and transcendence, while his superego requires him to conform to the norms of society and the code of morality. It was under self-regulation that Nash was finally able to overcome the disease, win the Nobel Prize, and realize the unity of personal and social values. This example vividly illustrates the important role that the ego plays in reconciling the contradictions between the id and the superego.
Similarly, in the classic tragedy of Hamlet, the protagonist Hamlet is confronted with the contradiction between revenge and morality. His ego asks him to avenge his father, while his superego admonishes him to abide by moral and legal principles. Hamlet's ego oscillates between the two, ultimately leading to his tragic end. Although this example is a negative example, it also illustrates the important role of the ego in dealing with inner conflicts and external circumstances.
In general, the self-principle in Freud's personality theory is an important guarantee for individual mental health and behavioral norms. It acts like a bridge between the inner world and the outer world, helping us find our place and direction in the real world. By gaining a deeper understanding and studying the function and role of the self, we can better understand ourselves, understand others, and make more informed and responsible choices in real life. At the same time, we can also see the challenges and dilemmas that the ego faces in dealing with internal conflicts and external circumstances. Therefore, we need to keep learning and growing, and improve our mental quality and cognitive ability in order to better cope with the challenges and difficulties in life.
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