Theory of Personality (D564) Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT a component of personality according to Freud?

1. Superego

2. Ego

3. Self

4. Id

The correct answer is: Self

Freud's theory of personality consists of three primary components: the id, ego, and superego. The id represents the primal instincts and desires, operating on the pleasure principle. The ego functions as the realistic part of the personality that mediates between the desires of the id and the moral restrictions imposed by the superego, which internalizes social norms and values. The term "self," while commonly used in various psychological contexts, does not specifically correspond to one of Freud's defined components of personality. Instead, it tends to be associated with self-concept or the psychological construct of the individual in broader psychological theories. By identifying the "self" as not a component of Freud's model, it highlights a crucial understanding of his structural theory of personality, which explicitly delineates how the id, ego, and superego interact to shape human behavior. This distinction is essential in grasping Freud's concepts as they relate to personality development and functioning.