Reality Principle (Noun)
Meaning
(psychoanalysis) the governing principle of the ego; the principle that as a child grows it becomes aware of the real environment and the need to accommodate to it.
Classification
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents.
Examples
- The reality principle guides the ego in its interactions with the external world, helping it to distinguish between what is real and what is fantasy.
- In psychoanalytic theory, the reality principle is seen as a crucial factor in the development of the ego, as it allows the individual to adapt to the demands of the external environment.
- As the child grows and matures, the reality principle becomes increasingly important, helping the ego to mediate between the demands of the id and the demands of the external world.
- The reality principle is often in conflict with the pleasure principle, which seeks immediate gratification, and this conflict is a key aspect of the ego's development.
- Through the operation of the reality principle, the ego is able to delay gratification and make compromises with the external world, allowing the individual to function effectively in society.