reality principle (redirected from reality principles)

reality principle

n.

In psychoanalysis, the satisfaction of instinctual needs through awareness of and adjustment to environmental demands.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

reality principle - (psychoanalysis) the governing principle of the ego; the principle that as a child grows it becomes aware of the real environment and the need to accommodate to it depth psychology, psychoanalysis, analysis - a set of techniques for exploring underlying motives and a method of treating various mental disorders; based on the theories of Sigmund Freud; "his physician recommended psychoanalysis" principle - a basic truth or law or assumption; "the principles of democracy" pleasure principle, pleasure-pain principle, pleasure-unpleasure principle - (psychoanalysis) the governing principle of the id; the principle that an infant seeks gratification and fails to distinguish fantasy from reality