Guilt...and conscience

"Conscience is seen as the super ego, which is the internalised authority which represent the values that are enforced by parents. Guilt is the tension that occurs between the instinctual desires that stem from the ego and the values held in the super ego (Freud, 1961). The development of the super ego occurs during early childhood. The behaviour of a child is formulated by the external influence of the parents, and this behaviour is motivated by a fear of loss of love. But as the child matures, a super ego is created, not just by values of parents, but other relevant social figures. Guilt therefore is the internal substitute for the external punishment from a parent or society. One of the strengths in Freud's theory is that it accounts for not only behaviour that leads to guilt, but also thoughts. While behaviourists are mainly concerned with behaviour that contradicts internal values, Freud accounts for "sinful" thoughts that may lead to guilt. Since the super ego is unconscious, it can act on unconscious instinctual drives that may not surface to the conscience. Therefore the intention of a behaviour that is not compatible with the authority of the super ego also causes tension (ie guilt). "


Now......that is explains everything in words..