Which of the following statements concerning the ego is true?

A) It develops out of a concern for right and wrong.
B) It develops in response to the Oedipal complex.
C) It operates according to the pleasure principle.
D) It operates according to the reality principle.
E) It operates by "primary process thinking".

Ego

In Sigmund Freud’s theory, the structure that begins to develop in response to the fact that instinctual demands of the id are not always immediately met. The ego develops to curb the desires of id so that the individual does not suffer any unpleasant consequences.

Reality Principle

A psychoanalytic concept involving the ability of the mind to assess the external world and act upon it accordingly, often in contrast to the pleasure principle.

Right and Wrong

Fundamental concepts relating to ethics and morality, guiding behavior as acceptable or unacceptable.