What term describes the part of personality that represents internalized ideals according to Freud?

The term that describes the part of personality that represents internalized ideals according to Freud is the superego. In Freudian theory, the superego acts as the moral compass of an individual's personality, embodying the societal norms and values that we internalize from our parents and culture. It strives for perfection and judges our actions, often feeling pride or guilt depending on whether we meet these internalized standards.

The superego develops as a result of socialization, learning what is right and wrong, and it plays a key role in the regulation of behavior and decision-making by imposing moral standards. This distinguishes it from the id, which is driven by primal urges and desires, and the ego, which mediates between the id and the realities of the world. The conscience is often associated with the superego but is not an official term in Freud's structural model; rather, it's more of an aspect or function of the superego related to feelings of guilt or remorse.