The reality principle: what is it?

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The reality principle is a psychoanalytic concept that governs mental functioning. Although we are often not aware of it, we frequently combine it in the face of pleasure or immediate reinforcement.

Can you imagine being able to fulfill everything you want? This milestone might seem like a marvel, but if you analyze it in depth you will see that it is not all advantages. Well, the reality principle has a lot to do with this balance.

This principle is very present in the psychoanalysis of Sigmund Freud. It was he who somehow gave shape to the concept, framing it in his dynamic theory of personality. But what is the reality principle? What is its relationship with the Freudian economic model?

Throughout this article we will resolve these questions. In addition, we will show you the link of the pleasure principle with secondary processes and with the life and death drives.

Reality principle, what is it?

We regulate ourselves by several principles and one of the most important is reality. That is, when there is a constant search for pleasure, it is the one in charge of telling us: “Stop! “You can go this far.”

Freud suggested that one of the milestones that could end our existence would be the complete satisfaction of our desires. Because? Keep in mind that we are talking about all desires, even those that are deep within us and that arise in moments of intense pain or anger.

Besides, It is a principle of the “I”, which in psychoanalysis is our conscious part, which intervenes in the satisfaction of the impulses of the “id”, that is, our instinctive part, and in the impulses of the “superego”, that is, the internalization we make of the moral.

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So what does it allow us? The reality principle allows us to postpone or substitute our appetites according to the pressures of reality, to adapt. That is to say, Help our survival!

Reality principle and the economic model

The reality principle is part of the economic model suggested by Sigmund Freud. This model emphasizes drive, that is, a force that favors the search for a goal. In fact, it focuses on those energetic processes that regulate our mental activity. These processes would be: the reality principle, and the pleasure principle.

In words closer to Freud, The economic model has to do with the psychic processes consisting of the circulation of quantifiable energy, which can increase, decrease or remain unchanged. Among others, the following operate in this movement:

The libido. It is the tendency to discharge, based on the pleasure principle.The energy of cathexis. That is, the discharge of psychic energy.

The reality principle operates through this energy. However, it does not act alone, it always goes hand in hand with the pleasure principle, and other concepts that we will see in the next section.

Concepts associated with the reality principle

The reality principle is closely related to the pleasure principle, which is one that seeks the immediate satisfaction of our impulses. Additionally, it is linked to:

The beginning of Nirvana. It consists of the tendency to bring all excitement to the level closest to zero.The drive for life. That tendency towards self-preservation.The death drive. The propensity for self-destruction.

In addition, it is associated with the flow of psychic energy, therefore, it works hand in hand with libido and cathexis. Thus, when we talk about the reality principle, we say that is a regulator, since it is found mediating our drives.

The most important associated concept is the secondary process. These are all those activities and processes related to the “I” that help us both to integrate and adapt to the environment. For example: memory, thinking, perception, reasoning and language.

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So, Through the secondary processes, the reality principle operates. It does so by connecting with reality, evaluating causal relationships, to determine what is least dangerous for the fulfillment of the desire, what is not tolerable, and what is more or less effective.

In summary, Thanks to the reality principle we can better adapt to the demands of the around. To do this, we use its energy mechanisms, our ego interacts, and we use the secondary processes that bring us closest to reality and that not only lead to the satisfaction of our desires; but rather that they come closer to our survival.

We cannot fulfill pleasures at all times, therefore, our reality principle intervenes. That is, we have to wait, not do it or postpone our pleasure until later. That is the importance of this principle in our daily lives.