Which of the following is not true about the id ?

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, M.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam-2023

Explanation

The question asks to identify the incorrect statement about the 'id' from Freud's psychoanalytic theory.
The statement that the id 'deals with our conscience' is false.
According to Freud, the 'superego' is the component of personality that represents the conscience and our internalized moral standards.
The 'id' is the primitive, instinctual part of the mind, driven by the pleasure principle, and is not concerned with morality or conscience.

Option A: This statement is true. The id operates entirely on the pleasure principle, seeking immediate gratification for all urges, needs, and desires.
Option C: This statement is true. The id is considered the most primitive part of the personality and is the only component that is present from birth.
Option D: This statement is true. The id is the reservoir of all psychic energy, which includes the life instincts (Eros) and the death or aggressive instincts (Thanatos).

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Freud's Psychoanalytic Theory: The Id as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding the concepts of id, ego, and superego helps nurses recognize the underlying psychological forces that can influence a patient's behavior, especially behavior that seems irrational, impulsive, or self-destructive.
In mental health nursing, this framework can provide insight into personality disorders and internal conflicts, guiding therapeutic communication and interventions.
What if a patient consistently ignores medical advice for lifestyle changes (e.g., diet, smoking cessation) despite understanding the risks? A nurse can view this through the lens of a dominant 'id' seeking immediate gratification (pleasure from unhealthy habits) over the 'ego's' rational understanding of long-term health consequences. This perspective helps the nurse approach the patient with strategies that address motivational conflicts rather than just providing information.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question, which is 'id'.
Note the negative framing: the question asks what is 'not true'. This means you are looking for the false statement among the options.
Recall the basic principles of Freud's psychoanalytic theory regarding the three components of personality: id, ego, and superego.
Evaluate each option against the definition of the 'id':
Option A: Does the id operate on the pleasure principle? Yes, this is its core function.
Option B: Does the id deal with the conscience? No, the conscience is the superego.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Q1C9vzmRsqccdqIuV7Kh4K

E6 Psychology Baron Misra 5e Part 2 p. 83-85

E6 Psychology Morgan King 9e Part 2 p. 175-177

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor p. 1051-1053

Practise the full RUHS, Jaipur, M.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam-2023

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.