Association of Social Work Boards Masters (ASWB MSW) Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Conquer your ASWB Masters exam with our comprehensive practice test. Tailored feedback, real-world scenarios, and expert insights await to ensure your success.

Practice this question and more.


What does the ego operate according to?

  1. Pleasure Principle

  2. Reality Principle

  3. Morality Principle

  4. Anxiety Principle

The correct answer is: Reality Principle

The ego operates according to the reality principle. While the pleasure principle (option A) is concerned with seeking immediate gratification of desires, the ego balances this with the reality principle by taking into account practicality and consequences. The morality principle (option C) is a term used in ethics and does not specifically apply to the ego. The anxiety principle (option D) is not a recognized principle in psychology and may refer to a specific theory or concept rather than the overall function of the ego. Therefore, the ego operates predominantly based on the reality principle, making option B the correct answer.