View source for Reality principle

In [[Sigmund Freud|Freudian]] psychology, the '''reality principle''' is the [[Psychoanalysis|psychoanalytic]] concept describing circumstantial reality compelling a man or a woman to defer instant [[gratification]]. The reality principle is the factual governor of the actions taken by the  [[Id, ego, and super-ego#Ego|ego]], and always opposes the [[Pleasure principle (psychology)|pleasure principle]] of the [[Id, ego, and super-ego#Id|Id]].

In infancy and early childhood, the [[Id, ego, and super-ego|Id]] rules behavior by obeying only the pleasure principle. Maturity is learning to endure the [[suffering|pain]] of deferred gratification, when reality requires it; thus, the [[Psychoanalysis|psychoanalitic]] [[Psychology|psychologist]] [[Sigmund Freud]] proposes that “an ego thus educated has become ‘reasonable’; it no longer lets itself be governed by the pleasure principle, but obeys the reality principle, which also, at bottom, seeks to obtain pleasure, but pleasure which is assured through taking account of reality, even though it is pleasure postponed and diminished”.<ref>Sigmund Freud, ''Introductory Lectures'' 16.357.</ref>

== References ==

<references/>