According to the Freudian psycho-analytical theory of the human mind, sense-of-self and exhibited personality is a triad of three forms of ego (Latin: self, I): id, ego, and superego.
In modern times, we have explored this theory enough to locate what sections of the brain that are the different forms of ego:
A controlling id ego is a feral consciousness associated with a hyperactive amygdala. This small region of the brain is located in the medial temporal lobe, and it is associated with the fear, stress, or emotional responses of an individual’s nature and mind. If the brain develops around trauma, the amygdala becomes hyperactive -- meaning it triggers the function and region more quickly than the region of the brain associated with rationale and self-soothing. When the brain develops around trauma, it adapts to this overstimulation, and forms around proper cognition by keeping rational brain functions underactive. If an individual experiences associated negative situations/emotions often, the psyche develops around the imbalance of rationale, or superego, that subliminally forms around a controlling id ego.
An underactive superego is a domesticated consciousness associated with an under stimulated ventral-medial prefrontal cortex. The region of the brain is located in the pre-frontal area of the brain, towards the bottom of the cerebral cortex. It is associated with rational thought processes and inhibitions to negative thought processes or emotional responses that nuances human cognition to remain stuck in negative thought processes. When the brain develops around trauma, it becomes underactive -- meaning an overactive amygdala reduces neuroelectrical activity and blood flow to this region. When the brain is deficient in activity of this region, it adapts by altering functional cognition, keeping rational brain functions inhibited. If an individual experiences negative situations/emotions often, the impaired psyche creates an imbalance, that results in the id ego subliminally being the controlling ego.
Irrationality vs. rationality
When the domesticated ego (superego) is impaired due to trauma and neglectful experiences, the feral ego (id) is in control that feeds on instant or quick forms of gratification and quick “fixes” instead of long-term forms of positive outcomes. When these two egos are at war with each other at times due the imbalance (the feeling of unacquired out-of-touch desire), it results in an ego that typically deviates from neurotypical development of personality. The ego is the idea or sense of self that individuals know themselves as. In other words, the individual reflecting, acknowledging, and accepting their role in the real world without necessary deliberate, or conscious, realization.
According to my own research, to repair the imbalanced superego, and deflate the id ego, it is to practice and master the functional “cognitive senses”, such as self-discipline, self-critic, self-awareness, self-control, and self-soothing. Mastery of these senses come to serve that individual’s decision making, gratifying their will-power, and paving paths to achieve personal aspirations.
Mastery of the egos will repair emotional responses in ways that serve you, and it will help heal an individual’s motivation and will-power. Motivation and will-power help an individual to not remain stuck in negative thought-frames or emotional responses. Mastery will also lead to an individual feeling a rational, and truthful sense of purpose and role in their interpersonal dynamics.
To practice mastery, starting with small aspects of life such as simple habits, it seems logical to motivate and solidify self-control, inhibitions, and/or superego. Practicing self-control activates the ventral-medial prefrontal cortex, and lessens the strain on the amygdala. Remaining true to future inhibitions also activate, and solidifies the superego. Practicing self-soothing thought-frames or actions that positively serve the individual, also lessens the strain on the amygdala, and helps develop subliminal will-power that controls the id ego and paves way towards mastery of the superego.
To help develop an individual’s sense of self, being thoughtful of the moment, acknowlegement of the past, and finding bliss in devaluation of an uncertain future seems to be the most obvious thought-frames according to this theory of psychology and philosphy.
Superego -- what we think is right/wrong
Ego -- what we know as right/wrong
Id -- what we don’t know is right/wrong
Freeing the mind of indoctrination by questioning your own moral thought processes and replacing them with deliberate thought-frames that represent you will help tame the superego. Domestication of this ego gives rise to individuality that you’re comfortable with.
Rebelling against the id ego is like an individual who is a recovered alcoholic that refrains from drinking in a situation with others that partake, because he ultimately knows it wouldn’t be a good decision. An alcoholic going against desire as he knows it is wrong is giving value to the ego, or who he is as a person. The recovered alcoholic having a desire to drink, but refraining, is the id ego in turmoil.
Freeing the mind of gratification by questioning your own desires and replacing them with contented thought-frames that represent you will help tame the id ego. Domestication of this ego gives rise to an individuality that you’re comfortable with.
Question your decisions.
Question your lack of decisions.
Question what you know is right.
Question what you know is wrong.
Question your opinions.
Question your facts.
It is OK to be wrong in the mind, but not in your moral decisions that affect the well-being of others and yourself. Only you know right from wrong.
D.W. 2020