The superego is part of the psyche that is partly conscious. It represents the rules of society, functions to reward and punish through a system of moral attitudes, and has a sense of guilt. The development for the superego happens around ages 3 to 5. Its function is to control the impulses of the id by using the rules of society, what is forbidden and what is allowed. Some characteristics for the superego are:
- Incorporates the values and morals of society
- Persuades the ego to use moralistic goals instead of realistic ones
- Strives for perfection
- Consists of two systems: consciousness and ideal self
- Consciousness can punish the ego by using guilt
- Ideal self is an imaginary picture of how and who you ought to be
- Superego can be punished if it does not fit the ideal self