In Freudian psychology, psychopathy or Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) is often associated with an underdeveloped or weak superego. The superego is one of the three components of Freud's structural model of the mind, along with the id and the ego.
To briefly explain the components:
Id: The id represents the primitive and instinctual part of the mind, operating on the pleasure principle, seeking immediate gratification of desires and drives without concern for consequences or morality.
Ego: The ego develops to mediate between the id's impulsive desires and the external world's reality. It operates on the reality principle and helps make decisions based on reason and logic, considering the long-term consequences of actions.
Superego: The superego is the internalized moral compass or conscience. It incorporates societal rules, values, and standards that are learned from parents, authority figures, and culture. It strives for perfection and moral ideals, often leading to feelings of guilt or shame when one violates those ideals.
In individuals with psychopathy or ASPD, the superego is considered to be weak or deficient. This means that they lack a fully developed conscience and have difficulty experiencing guilt or remorse for their actions. They may be more driven by their id impulses and less concerned about the consequences of their behaviors on others or society.
It's important to note that Freudian psychology is one of many theoretical approaches to understanding personality and psychopathology, and modern psychology has expanded and evolved beyond Freud's original theories. Contemporary theories and research on psychopathy and ASPD focus on a wide range of factors, including genetics, brain abnormalities, and environmental influences. As a result, the understanding of these conditions is continually evolving.