IGNOU PB Bsc Nsg.Entrance-2026
Applied Psychology
Easy

One of the following balances between id and supergo:

Appeared in: IGNOU PB Bsc Nsg.Entrance-2026

Explanation

  • According to Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theory, the Ego is the component of personality that mediates between the impulsive demands of the Id and the moralistic standards of the Superego.
  • The Ego operates on the 'reality principle,' striving to satisfy the Id's desires in realistic and socially appropriate ways, thus striking a balance.
  • It functions as the executive part of the personality, making decisions and managing the conflicts between primitive urges (Id) and learned moral constraints (Superego).

Why Other Options Were Wrong

  • Option A: These are unconscious strategies used by the Ego to manage anxiety from the conflict between the Id and Superego; they are the tools, not the balancing structure itself.
  • Option B: This is a concept from Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development, referring to the inability to differentiate between self and other. It is not part of Freud's structural model of personality.
  • Option D: This is the capacity to understand or feel what another person is experiencing. It is a component of emotional intelligence, not one of the three core structures in Freud's theory.

Related Visual

Visual explanation — Related Visual
Clinical Relevance
  • Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Freud's Psychoanalytic Theory of Personality as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
  • In mental health nursing, understanding the interplay of the Id, Ego, and Superego helps in interpreting patient behaviors. For example, impulsive actions may indicate an overactive Id, while excessive guilt could suggest a punitive Superego.
  • Recognizing ego defense mechanisms (e.g., denial, rationalization) is crucial for therapeutic communication and helping patients develop healthier coping strategies.
  • What if? - If a patient consistently blames external factors for their problems and acts impulsively (e.g., substance abuse), a nurse might assess for a poorly developed Ego that struggles to mediate the Id's impulses and reality. The nursing approach would focus on reality testing and strengthening coping skills.
How to Approach the Question
  • First, identify the key terms in the question: 'balances,' 'id,' and 'supergo.' This points directly to Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theory.
  • Recall the three structures of personality in Freud's model: the Id (pleasure principle), the Ego (reality principle), and the Superego (moral principle).
  • Remember the specific function of each structure. The Ego's primary role is to mediate the conflict between the primitive Id and the moralistic Superego.
  • Evaluate the options based on this understanding. 'Ego' directly matches the function of balancing the other two structures.
  • Eliminate the other options by identifying their correct context: 'Ego defense mechanisms' are tools of the ego, 'Egocentrism' is from Piaget's theory, and 'Empathy' is a concept of emotional understanding.
Concept Tested & Keywords
  • Concept Tested: Freud's Psychoanalytic Theory of Personality
  • Stem keywords: balances, id, supergo
  • Lead-in keywords: One of the following

Question ID

Qk_kBtMk1eff5cObYWigFx

Reference Book

E6 Psychology Baron Misra 5e Part 2 p. 84-86

E6 Robert Boland, Marcia L. Verduin - Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Text of Psychiatry-Wolters Kluwer Health (2024) (pp 1-16525 of 16525) pp. 2980-2982, 5465-5467

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