Final answer:
Michael's decision to refrain from stealing the money, motivated by his moral considerations and desire to avoid trouble, is explained by the influence of the superego, representing the moral component of his personality.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the example provided, Michael's decision not to steal money from the cash register, despite needing it, because he did not want to get in trouble is explained by the superego. The superego develops through social interactions, and it represents the moral component of personality, acting as our conscience and moral compass. It is what tells us how we should behave, striving for perfection and judging our behavior, which can lead to feelings of pride or guilt. Michael's decision reflects the influence of the superego because he is motivated by a desire to adhere to moral and societal standards rather than act on immediate impulses, which would be characteristic of the id, or solely rational considerations, which the ego would evaluate.
According to Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theory, our personality is shaped by the interactions and balances between the id, ego, and superego. The id is focused on primal urges and immediate gratification, operating on the pleasure principle. The ego acts as a rational mediator and operates on the reality principle, striving to fulfill the id's desires realistically without violating the moral standards of the superego or the rules of society. However, it is the superego that encompasses the ethical considerations that prevent Michael from committing theft.