Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
The super-ego is a component of Freud's psychoanalytic theory that represents the internalized moral standards and ideals of society. It acts as our conscience, aiming for perfection and striving to control the impulses of the id.
Related terms
Conscience: The internal sense of right and wrong that guides our behavior based on societal norms and values.