"Ego" is guided by _____.

Sigmund Freud's structural model of personality (psychoanalytic theory) describes three interacting mental agencies, each governed by a distinct guiding principle: the Id follows the pleasure principle (immediate gratification of instinctual urges), the Ego follows the reality principle (satisfying those urges through realistic, socially acceptable means), and the Superego follows the morality/perfection principle (internalized ideals and conscience).

The Ego develops to mediate between the Id's instinctual demands and the constraints of the external world. Because it must test reality and delay or channel gratification into practical, acceptable outlets, the Ego operates by the reality principle.

• Pleasure principle — this governs the Id, not the Ego; the Id seeks immediate gratification regardless of real-world consequences.

• Idealistic principle — moral/ideal standards belong to the Superego (conscience and ego-ideal), not the Ego.

• General principle — not a term used in Freud's structural model; no such governing principle is attributed to any psychic agency.

Hence, the Ego is guided by the reality principle.