Forenics - THEORIES OF OFFENDING - PSYCHODYNAMIC

The id, ego and superego.

The id is powered by the pleasure principle and if urges for sex, warmth and food are not met agressive tendacies can emerge. The ego, governed by the reality principle, seeks to fullfill the desires of id in ways that are acceptable by society. Finally the superego which is driven by the morality principle, provides a set of goals and values.

Before superego has formed a person would have no cocept of morality and if they do as they are told it is more due to fear of punishment than the understanding of what is right and what is wrong. The superego develops during the phallic stage (oedipus and electra complex). If the oedipus complex is not resolved for a…