Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic personality theory.

The Id is the disorganised, impulsive part of our personality, it contains the humans basic instinctual drive, the Id is present from birth and is the source of a humans bodily needs, wants, desires and impulses; aggressive or sexual. The id houses the libido which is the primary source of instinctual force that doesn't understand the limitations of reality. The pleasure principle is how the Id acts, it aims to seek immediate gratification of any impulse. The Id is unconscious according to Freud.

The Ego is the organised part of the personality structure that includes the defensive, perceptual, intellectual- cognitive and executive functions. Conscious awareness resides in the go, although not all of the ego's operations are conscious. The ego understands reality and its rules and tries its hardert to keep the Id in check and helps the Id achieve what it wants the way that corresponds to the restrictions set.

The Superego is the moral principles part of personality that is concerned of what other people think and is the complete opposite of the Id. the superego strives to perfect and civilise our personalities. It is the other extreme of the personality.


Usefulness for film analysis:
When this theory is applied to film it can make use understand how different characters can be understood or even constructed to form a narrative conflict. These perspectives can be useful in a critical evaluation of scenes, events and even film narrative in a way that enables the audience or viewer to understand the meanings and motivations of the key characters. Why people act in difficult and different situations and how they respond to others as a result of personal needs and desires.