noun
superego
SOO-pur-ih-goh
Superego (noun) means the part of the mind that acts as a self-critical conscience, reflecting the social standards a person has learnt. Example: “Her superego made her feel guilty for breaking even a small rule.”
noun
1
psychoanalysis The part of the mind that acts as a self-critical conscience, reflecting the social standards a person has learnt.
"Her superego made her feel guilty for breaking even a small rule."
"A weak superego can make it harder to resist temptation."
"Therapists sometimes describe inner guilt as the superego at work."
How to use superego
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe inner voice that judges you by the rules and standards you were taught.
When to use it
It's a technical term from psychoanalysis rather than everyday conversation.
Common pairings
a strong superego
a weak superego
the demands of the superego
id, ego and superego
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Her _____ made her feel guilty for breaking even a small rule.
Etymology
Superego is built from super plus ego, and was originally written super-ego. It was formed as a calque of the German Über-Ich, itself made from über- meaning 'super' and Ich, meaning 'I' or ego.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for superego
See all rhymes for superego →Frequently asked questions
What is the superego in psychology?
It is the part of the mind that judges and criticises you according to social standards you have absorbed while growing up.
Where does the word superego come from?
It was formed to match the German Über-Ich, combining über- ('super') with Ich, the word for 'I' or ego.
What does the superego actually do?
It works as an internal, self-critical conscience, measuring your behaviour against the standards you have learnt.
What is the meaning of superego?
"superego" (noun) means the part of the mind that acts as a self-critical conscience, reflecting the social standards a person has learnt.
