Together with the [[pleasure principle]], the [[reality principle]] is, according to [[Freud]], one of the two principles governing the workings of the [[psyche]].
The [[reality principle]] modifies the [[pleasure principle]] by regulating the instinctive search for [[pleasure]].
Under its influence, the search for [[pleasure]] ceases to be immediate as momentary and uncertain pleasures are renounced in order to gain a more assured [[pleasure]] at a later stage (deferred gratification).
The quest for [[pleasure]] is thus modified so as to make it conform to the conditions imposed by external realities.
The religious doctrine which holds that those who renounce earthly pleasures can expect to be rewarded in the afterlife is viewed by [[Freud] as a [[projection]] of the [[reality principle]].
According to [{Freud]], the [[psyche]] is at first regulated entirely by the [[pleasure principle]].
The [[pleasure principle]] seeks to experience [[satisfaction]] via [[hallucination|hallucinatory]] [[cathexis]] of a [[memory]] of prior [[satisfaction]].
However, the [[subject]] soon discovers that [[hallucination|hallucinating]] does not fully [[satisfaction|satisfy]] his [[need]]s, and is thus forced "to form a conception of the real circumstances in the external world."<ref>Freud, 1911b: SE XII, 219</ref>
[[Freud]] introduces the [[reality principle]] (''principe de rèalitè''), a new 'principle of mental functioning' which modifies the [[pleasure principle]] and forces the [[subject]] to take more circuitous routes to [[satisfaction]].
Since, however, the ultimate aim of the [[reality principle]] is still the [[Realsatisfaction]]ity principle (principe de rÈalitÈ) According to Freud, of the[[drive]]s.
psyche [[Lacan]] is at first regulated entirely by opposed to what he calls "a naive conception of the PLEASURE PRINCIPLE, Which seeks toReality principle."<ref>1951b: ll</ref>
experience satisfaction via a hallucinatory cathexis He rejects any account of a memory [[human]] [[development]] based on an unproblematic notion of prior'[[reality]]' as an [[objective]] and self-evident given.
satisfaction[[Lacan]] (following [[Freud]]) argues that the [[reality principle]] is still ultimately in the service of the [[pleasure principle]]: "the reality principle is a delayed action pleasure principle."<ref>{{S2}} p. However, the subject soon discovers that hallucinating does not60</ref>
relieve his needs, and is [[Lacan]] thus forced 'challenges the idea that the [[subject]] has access to form a conception an infallible means of the distinguishing between [[reality]] and [[Realfantasy]].
circumstances in "Reality isn't just there so that we bump our heads up against the false paths along which the functioning of the external world' (Freudpleasure principle leads us. In truth, 1911b: SE XII, 219)we make reality out of pleasure."<ref>{{S7}} p. A new225</ref>
'principle of mental functioning' is thus introduced (Together with the '[[Real]]ity principle'), which modifies the pleasure principle and forces the subject to take more circuitous routes to satisfaction. Since, however, the ultimate aim of the [[Real]]ity principle is still the satisfaction of the drives, it can be said that 'the substitution of the [[Realreality principle]]ity principle for the pleasure principle implies no deposing of the pleasure principleis, but only a safeguarding of it' (Freud, 1911b: SE XII, 223). From early on, Lacan is opposed according to what he calls 'a naive conception of the [[RealFreud]]ity principle' (1951b: ll). That is, he rejects any account one of human development based on an unproblematic notion of '[[Real]]ity' as an objective and self-evident given. He emphasises Freud's position that the [[Real]]ity prin- ciple is still ultimately in two principles governing the service workings of the pleasure principle; 'the [[Realpsyche]]ity principle is a delayed action pleasure principle' (S2, 60). Lacan thus chal- lenges the idea that the subject has access to an infallible means of distinguish-
ing between The [[Realreality principle]]ity and modifies the [[Fantasypleasure principle]]. 'by regulating the [[instinct]]ive search for [[Rpleasure]]eality isn't just there so that we bump our.
heads up against the false paths along which the functioning of Under its influence, the search for [[pleasure]] ceases to be immediate as momentary and uncertain [[pleasure]]s are renounced in order to gain a more assured [[pleasure]] at a later [[stage]] (deferred gratification).
principle leads usThe quest for [[pleasure]] is thus modified so as to make it conform to the conditions imposed by [[external]] [[realities]]. In truth, we make The [[religious]] doctrine which holds that those who renounce earthly [[pleasure]]s can expect to be rewarded in the afterlife is viewed by [[Freud] as a [[Realprojection]]ity out of pleasure' (S7, 225)the [[reality principle]].
Respectively, the [[desire]] for immediate gratification vs. the [[deferral]] of that gratification.
Quite simply, the [[pleasure principle]] drives one to seek [[pleasure]] and to avoid [[pain]].
However, as one grows up, one begins to learn the need sometimes to endure [[pain]] and to defer gratification because of the exigencies and obstacles of [[reality]]:
== def ==Respectively, the desire for immediate gratification vs. the deferral of that gratification. Quite simply, the pleasure-principle drives one to seek pleasure and to avoid pain. However, as one grows up, one begins to learn the need sometimes to endure pain and to defer gratification because of the exigencies and obstacles of reality: "An ego thus educated has become 'reasonable'; it no longer lets itself be governed by the pleasure principle, but obeys the reality principle, which also at bottom seeks to obtain pleasure, but pleasure which is assured through taking account of reality, even though it is pleasure postponed and diminished." (<ref>Introductory Lectures 16.357).</ref>
==See Also==
* [[Pleasure principle]]
* [[pleasure]]
* [[desire]]
* ''[[jouissance]]''
* [[reality]]
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[[Category:Jacques Lacan]]
[[Category:Terms]]
[[Category:Concepts]]
[[Category:Psychoanalysis]]
[[Category:Freudian psychology]]
[[Category:Real]]
[[Category:Symbolic]]
