Final answer:
Children develop a superego as they learn societal rules, acting as a conscience and moral compass. The superego arises from the interaction with social expectations and is part of Freud's psychoanalytic theory, which also includes the id and the ego.
Step-by-step explanation:
When children learn they must follow rules and regulations in satisfying their wishes, they develop a superego.
The superego acts as our conscience and moral compass, instructing us on how we should behave based on societal rules of right and wrong. It arises as children interact with others and learn about societal expectations, and it strives for perfection, leading to feelings of pride when we meet ideals or guilt when we do not.
This development is a part of Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic theory, which also includes the id and the ego. The id is the source of our primitive drives, operating on the pleasure principle, seeking immediate gratification.
The ego balances the id and superego according to the reality principle, finding rational ways to fulfill desires while adhering to societal norms. The balance of these elements is critical for a healthy personality.