Final answer:
Sigmund Freud identified two primary instincts which are the life instinct (eros) and the death instinct (thanatos), relating to our unconscious desires for pleasure and self-destruction, respectively. The ego balances these instincts against societal rules embodied by the superego.
Step-by-step explanation:
Freud postulated that within our psychological makeup, the id contains our most basic urges, operating on the pleasure principle, seeking immediate gratification of life instincts, known as eros. In contrast, the death instincts, called thanatos, are characterized by unconscious desires that can manifest as self-destructive behavior. The ego and the superego are developed through social interactions. The ego acts on the reality principle, balancing the demands of the id and the constraints of the superego.
The ego's job is to find a realistic way to satisfy the id's desires, contending with the superego that pushes for moral and socially acceptable behavior. A healthy personality, according to Freud, is one where the ego effectively balances between the life and death instincts and societal expectations.