Which Freudian structure mediates between primitive desires and the external world?

• A. Id
• B. Superego
• C. Ego
• D. Reality Principle

Answer: (C)

The ego is the mediator between internal demands and the real world. It stands between the id’s primitive, immediate desires and the constraints of reality, using the Reality Principle to delay gratification, assess consequences, and plan actions that satisfy needs in realistic and socially acceptable ways. The id drives with the Pleasure Principle, seeking instant satisfaction, while the superego acts as the moral guide. The Reality Principle describes how the ego operates, not a separate structure, so the ego is the one that balances impulse and reality.