The Tripartite Theory of Personality Structure refers to the theory proposed by psychologist Sigmund Freud about the composition of personality. According to this theory, personality is composed of three basic structures: the Id, the Ego, and the Superego.
The Id, also known as the "primitive self," is the most fundamental aspect of personality, representing the realm of the unconscious. It represents the individual's primal impulses and desires, including basic instincts and desires such as hunger, sexual desire, and self-preservation instincts. The Id is not constrained by morality or reality, and these innate desires seek immediate satisfaction, regardless of right or wrong, as long as the desires are fulfilled, the individual will experience happiness.
The Ego, situated above the Id, represents the conscious self that we are aware of. The Ego is not innate but is formed during the process of growth and adaptation to society. It represents the individual's perception of reality and rational decision-making, allowing for the regulation of conflicts between the Id and the Superego and finding an appropriate balance. It can perceive the desires of the Id and strives to fulfill the individual's desires, but the Ego uses rationality to discern the demands of the Id.
The Superego is the part that transcends the self, belonging to the moral aspect of the personality structure and representing the idealized personality within an individual. It is formed through the internalization of various moral authorities' values within the family and society. The Superego represents the individual's internalized moral principles and social norms. It primarily constrains individual behavior through moral guilt and moral standards.
The balance and interaction between the Id, Ego, and Superego influence individual behavior and personality development. Freud believed that when conflicts between these three structures cannot be resolved, individuals may experience psychological problems.
The Id, Ego, and Superego together constitute a person's complete personality. All psychological activities can be reasonably explained through their connections. The Ego is a permanent existence, while the Superego and Id are almost perpetually in opposition. To reconcile the conflicts between the Id and Superego, the Ego needs to regulate. When an individual experiences excessive pressure from the Id, Superego, and external forces, causing anxiety, the Ego will help initiate defense mechanisms, also known as psychological defense mechanisms or self-defense mechanisms.
In terms of physiology:
The Id corresponds to the central part of the human brain.
The Ego corresponds to the frontal lobe cortex.
The Superego corresponds to the orbitofrontal cortex.
The relationship between the Id and the Ego is like that of a horse and its rider. The horse represents a powerful driving force, and the rider needs to control this force. If the rider cannot command the horse properly, the horse will drag the rider along a path they do not want to go, leading to mental illness.
Freud's psychoanalytic theory suggests that instinctual desires are the driving force of life, and rationality is not as powerful. The strongest force is actually a person's primitive desires, and ideals are constantly trying to cope with these primitive desires.
When it comes to the unconscious and instinctual desires, many films and TV shows have explored this theme. The following are some classic works that delve into the unconscious, instinctual desires, and the depths of the psyche:
"Inception": This film directed by Christopher Nolan explores the levels of dreams and consciousness, involving the power of the subconscious and the influence of the unconscious.
"The Shining": This film directed by Stanley Kubrick is adapted from Stephen King's novel of the same name. It depicts the protagonist gradually being influenced by the power of the unconscious and showcases the violent manifestations of instinctual desires.
"Black Swan": This film directed by Darren Aronofsky tells the story of a ballet dancer and explores the psychological conflicts of desire, competition, and self-identity, showcasing the influence of the unconscious and the process of psychological breakdown.
"One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest": This film directed by Milos Forman is adapted from Ken Kesey's novel of the same name. It explores the conflicts between the individual and collective consciousness, authority, and free will, revealing the relationship between instinctual desires and social pressures.