Structure of Mind | Conscious | Preconscious | Ego and Super Ego | Mock Test | Staff Nurse | Guides Academy

Structure of mind – conscious, preconscious ,id, ego and super ego

The structure of the mind, as proposed by Sigmund Freud, consists of three levels of awareness: the conscious, preconscious, and unconscious. The conscious mind includes thoughts we are aware of, while the preconscious holds memories and information that can be accessed when needed. The unconscious contains desires, fears, and experiences beyond awareness, influencing behavior.

Freud also described three components of personality:

The Id is the primitive part driven by instincts and pleasure (unconscious).

The Ego is the rational self that mediates between the Id and reality (mainly conscious and preconscious).

The Superego is the moral conscience, internalizing societal rules (both conscious and unconscious).

Together, these elements shape human thoughts, behaviors, and conflicts.

Time: 15:00

According to Freud's psychoanalytic theory, which component of personality is present at birth and operates entirely on the pleasure principle?

[a] Ego

[b] Superego

[c] Id

[d] Preconscious

A nurse remembers a specific drug dosage they learned in nursing school when a colleague asks. This memory was retrieved from which level of the mind?

[a] The Unconscious

[b] The Conscious

[c] The Preconscious

[d] The Id

The Ego operates according to which principle?

[a] The Morality Principle

[b] The Reality Principle

[c] The Pleasure Principle

[d] The Idealistic Principle

A nursing student feels an overwhelming sense of guilt and calls themself "a failure" for getting a B on an exam instead of an A. This harsh self-judgment is most likely driven by which psychic structure?

[a] The Id

[b] The Superego

[c] The Ego

[d] The Unconscious

What part of the mind contains all the thoughts, feelings, and perceptions a person is currently aware of at any given moment?

[a] Conscious

[b] Preconscious

[c] Unconscious

[d] Superego

What is the primary function of the Ego in the structure of the mind?

[a] To seek immediate gratification for all desires.

[b] To enforce strict moral and ethical rules on the personality.

[c] To mediate between the demands of the Id, the Superego, and external reality.

[d] To store repressed memories and instinctual drives.

A patient on a strict fluid-restricted diet demands an extra glass of water and becomes angry when refused. This behavior is a manifestation of the:

[a] Id

[b] Ego

[c] Superego

[d] Preconscious mind

According to Freud, the largest part of the mind, which contains repressed urges and memories that influence behavior without our awareness, is the:

[a] Conscious

[b] Preconscious

[c] Ego

[d] Unconscious

The Superego is comprised of two sub-systems: the conscience and the:

[a] Libido

[b] Ego Ideal

[c] Pleasure Principle

[d] Reality Principle

A nurse is tempted to take a longer break but decides against it, knowing it would be unfair to colleagues and could compromise patient care. The nurse's controlled decision is guided by the:

[a] Id

[b] Ego

[c] Unconscious

[d] Pleasure Principle

At what level(s) of awareness does the Superego operate?

[a] Only the conscious level

[b] Only the unconscious level

[c] Conscious, preconscious, and unconscious levels

[d] Only the preconscious and conscious levels

A patient is told they need to start a new, healthier diet. The part of their mind that thinks, "I should do this; it's the right thing for my long-term health," reflects the influence of the:

[a] Id

[b] Superego

[c] Preconscious

[d] Unconscious

The development of the Superego is largely influenced by:

[a] The need for immediate gratification.

[b] The rational process of weighing pros and cons.

[c] Inherited genetic personality traits.

[d] The internalization of parental and societal values and morals.

Which mental structure is responsible for using defense mechanisms, such as rationalization or denial, to reduce anxiety arising from internal conflicts?

[a] The Id

[b] The Superego

[c] The Ego

[d] The Conscious mind

The "Ego Ideal," a component of the Superego, represents:

[a] The standards of good behavior and ambition that a person strives to meet.

[b] The part of the personality that punishes bad behavior with guilt.

[c] The instinctual drive for pleasure and aggression.

[d] The realistic part of the personality that deals with the external world.

Which structure is entirely contained within the unconscious level of the mind?

[a] The Id

[b] The Ego

[c] The Superego

[d] The Preconscious

A patient, angry about their diagnosis, yells at the nurse. The nurse understands the anger is likely displaced frustration about the illness, not a personal attack. This analytical perspective is an example of the nurse's well-developed:

[a] Id

[b] Superego

[c] Ego

[d] Unconscious

The primary goal of the Id is to:

[a] Achieve moral perfection.

[b] Find realistic ways to satisfy needs.

[c] Maximize pleasure and seek immediate gratification.

[d] Adhere to social norms and rules.

A healthy, well-adjusted personality, according to psychoanalytic theory, is one where:

[a] The Id is allowed to express all of its urges freely.

[b] The Superego has complete control over the Id and Ego.

[c] The conscious mind has suppressed the unconscious mind entirely.

[d] The Ego is strong and can balance the needs of the Id and Superego with reality.

The "conscience" part of the Superego is responsible for producing feelings of:

[a] Pride and accomplishment.

[b] Pleasure and satisfaction.

[c] Guilt and remorse when rules are broken.

[d] Anxiety about future events.

A patient newly diagnosed with diabetes rationalizes eating a candy bar by saying, "One little piece won't hurt my blood sugar that much." This use of a defense mechanism originates from the:

[a] Superego

[b] Id

[c] Ego

[d] Unconscious

The reality principle, which guides the ego, involves the ability to:

[a] Act on every impulse and desire immediately.

[b] Delay gratification to function effectively in the real world.

[c] Strive for an unrealistic state of moral perfection.

[d] Ignore social norms to get what one wants.

When does the Ego begin to develop?

[a] It is fully formed at birth.

[b] During adolescence, with the onset of puberty.

[c] In infancy, as the child begins to interact with the environment.

[d] In late adulthood, as a result of life experiences.

A nurse feels proud after receiving positive feedback from a patient's family about their compassionate care. This feeling of pride is associated with which psychic component?

[a] The Id

[b] The Conscience

[c] The Ego

[d] The Ego Ideal (part of the Superego)

In nursing practice, understanding the concepts of Id, Ego, and Superego is most useful for:

[a] Diagnosing specific psychiatric disorders.

[b] Prescribing psychotropic medications.

[c] Recognizing the underlying conflicts and motivations that influence a patient's behavior.

[d] Performing complex surgical procedures.