What develops as a child internalizes parental or societal morals?

The correct answer is the superego. The superego represents the internalized moral standards and ideals that we acquire from our parents and society. It functions as a guide for making judgments about right and wrong and influences our behavior accordingly. The superego is essentially our moral compass; it strives for perfection and judges our actions, leading to feelings of pride or guilt.

This concept is a fundamental aspect of psychoanalytic theory, primarily articulated by Sigmund Freud, who proposed that the personality consists of three structures: the id, which represents basic instincts and desires; the ego, which mediates between the desires of the id and the realities of the external world; and the superego, which incorporates the moral values learned from parents and society. While the conscience and moral reasoning are related, the superego encompasses a broader range of moral and ethical considerations that evolves as the child grows and internalizes these societal and parental influences.