Question

Cecil is sexually attracted to his middle-school English teacher. He doesn’t act on his feelings however, because he realizes that it is unrealistic that his teacher would respond positively to his advances. According to Sigmund Freud, which part of the personality would be responsible for Cecil’s restraint?

Answer 1

Answer:

Ego

Explanation:

In 1923, Sigmund Freud's personality theory was structured into three different parts viz: Id, ego and superego

The id is the instinctive and unconscious part of the personality which responds directly to urges, needs and desires. The id operates on the pleasure principle that every wishful impulse should be satiated instantly regardless of the resulting effect.

The ego is the part that mediates between the unreasonable id and societal beliefs. It is the reasoning and decision-making component of the psyche.

The superego is the part that acts as a self critical conscience, reflecting the social standards that has been learnt

In this scenario involving Cecil, the id part of his personality is responsible for the sexual attraction to his English teacher but the ego part of his personality is making him realize that is socially unreasonable for his teacher to respond to his sexual advances. His ego, which operates with the reality principle is restraining him from acting from his feelings in consideration of social realities.

Therefore, his ego is restraining him from expressing his feelings of sexual attraction (Id) considering societal consequences.