ASWB LCSW Social Work Clinical Practice Exam

What happens when there is an inability to reconcile the demands of the Id, reality, and Superego?

1. Happiness

2. Psychic balance

3. Psychic distress

4. Emotional clarity

The correct answer is: Psychic distress

When there is an inability to reconcile the demands of the Id, reality, and Superego, it typically results in psychic distress. This concept comes from psychoanalytic theory, which posits that the Id represents primal desires and urges, the Superego embodies moral and ethical standards, and reality mediates between the two. When these three aspects of the psyche are in conflict and unresolved, it leads to inner turmoil, anxiety, and emotional turmoil, which is described as psychic distress. In this context, each element serves a crucial role—while the Id seeks immediate gratification, the Superego imposes restrictions based on moral values, and reality checks these impulses. If an individual cannot harmonize these competing forces, the resulting tension can lead to feelings of confusion, frustration, or even depression. This is why the presence of conflicts that cannot be managed effectively often manifests as psychic distress rather than happiness, psychic balance, or emotional clarity.