The Id, the Ego, and the Superego

Janae Bassil

King

Standard British Literature

21 March, 2016

The Structure of Our Minds

The human personality is what people who they are. They are very complex and several

components go into producing ones personalities. Sigmund Freud, an Austrian neurologist and

father of psychoanalysis, introduced a theory on the structure of the mind that works on an

unconscious and conscious level. This structure is made up of the Id, the Ego, and the Superego.

These components of personality constructed by Freud give some insight into the human psyche.

To fully understand the structure of the human personality, it is key to understand the

conscious, preconscious, and unconscious mind. Freud uses an iceberg to depict the various

levels of consciousness. The conscious mind and thinking is considered to be the tip of the

iceberg. These are where the actions humans are aware of and can be “seen” reside. For instance,

“ [if one] may be feeling thirsty at this moment and decide to get a drink” this would be

conscious thinking (McLeod). Directly under the conscious level but above the unconscious

level is where preconscious thinking originates. The preconscious level of the iceberg lies

directly under the surface of the water. Immediate memories that one may not be totally aware

of, exist here directly under the water surface because “the preconscious is like a mental waiting

room, in which thoughts remain until they 'succeed in attracting the eye of the conscious' (Freud,

1924, p. 306).’ (McLeod)”. For example, people are not constantly thinking about their home

address but once brought to their attention, it can be recited with no difficulty. Lastly the

unconscious level of thinking is the deepest part of the iceberg that cannot be “seen”; therefore,

this is the thinking that takes places in which humans are completely unaware. The feelings and

thoughts that derive from here are unavailable to the conscious mind but greatly influence the

human...