The part of the personality that determines what is right and wrong and strives to be good is called what?

• A. Superego
• B. Resistance
• C. Symbiosis
• D. Projection

Answer: (A)

In Freudian theory, the superego acts as the moral compass. It contains our internalized standards of what is right and wrong and strives toward moral perfection, guiding us to behave in socially approved ways. It develops as we absorb parental and societal rules during childhood, forming a conscience that punishes misbehavior with guilt and an ego-ideal that motivates us to live up to noble standards. This moral pressure often sits in tension with the id’s impulses and the ego’s need to balance reality.

Other terms here refer to different concepts. Resistance is a defense mechanism seen in therapy where a person blocks bringing certain thoughts to awareness. Projection is the defense of attributing one’s own unacceptable thoughts to someone else. Symbiosis refers to a close, interdependent relationship or a developmental stage related to early relationships.