superego

[ soo-per-ee-goh, -eg-oh ]
/ ˌsu pərˈi goʊ, -ˈɛg oʊ /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR superego ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural su·per·e·gos. Psychoanalysis.

the part of the personality representing the conscience, formed in early life by internalization of the standards of parents and other models of behavior.

Origin of superego

1890–95; translation of German Über-Ich (Freud); see super-, ego

Words nearby superego

superdelegate, superdense, superdense theory, superdominant, superduct, superego, superelastic, superelevated, superelevation, supereminent, superencipher

Words related to superego

shame, conscience, compunction, anxiety, hesitation, reluctance, censor, twinge, difficulty, demur, pause, uneasiness, qualm, perplexity, caution, hesitancy, reconsideration, faltering, duty, morals

Example sentences from the Web for superego

British Dictionary definitions for superego

superego
/ (ˌsuːpərˈiːɡəʊ, -ˈɛɡəʊ) /

noun plural -gos

psychoanal that part of the unconscious mind that acts as a conscience for the ego, developing mainly from the relationship between a child and his parents See also id 1, ego

Medical definitions for superego

superego
[ sōō′pər-ē′gō, -ĕg′ō ]

n. pl. su•per•e•gos

In psychoanalytic theory, the division of the psyche that censors and restrains the ego and has identified itself unconsciously with important persons from early life. It results from incorporating the values and wishes of these persons into one's own standards.

Cultural definitions for superego

superego
[ (sooh-puhr-ee-goh) ]

In Freudian psychology, the part of the psyche that incorporates parental or community values and standards and acts as an inner check on behavior. The superego and ego, responding to social demands, are often in conflict with the primitive impulses of the id.