Blog #5: Psychoanalytic Thinking

The id, ego and super ego are in constant battle to determine our actions in different situation and reactions to various situations. As a college student, peer pressure to engage in reckless behaviors such as drug use, (excessive) alcohol consumption and sexual activity repeatedly occur. Sexual activity could be argued to be the greatest temptation of these three. Sex, as a function, is used to further populate a society. However is has been shown in media and in gossip to also be pleasurable. Students and young adults are constantly caught in the battle between the ID’s instinct to reproduce with a suitable mate and the Ego’s pleasure principle. Luke Bryan’s song “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye” is a perfect example of logic and pleasure battling for power. In his song Bryan talks about a relationship that has run its course and the only thing that remains decent in the relationship is the physical aspect. This is not a healthy relationship and logic dictates that the two should break up and find partners that are more suitable, yet the pleasure they derive from the solitary decent aspect of the relationship is what holds them together.

Food is another area of psychoanalytical thinking. Healthy foods (protein, fruits, vegetables, simple carbs and simple sugars) are positive calories our bodies need to function throughout the day. Yet fast food and sweets poise a temptation due to their sweet taste, however these types of foods act as negative calories and restrict the benefits food could have for us. Healthy vs Unhealthy. Eating enough of the sweet food causes our body to be addicted to processed food and excessive sugar, making dieting and healthy eating adjustments a challenging lifestyle decision. Those who go on diets often have cravings for something sweet, and upon caving to those cravings begin to doubt whether such a lifestyle is change is even possible. The Id challenges us to be healthy and live long, yet the Ego encourages us to give in and eat the delicious, yet unhealthy food. It is the Super ego that mediates the two and says healthy meals are a must, yet on the weekends moderate consumption of sweet treats is acceptable, negating any guilt that may be felt.