The SELF is a relatively small, but - in terms of its values - an essential part in the human brain - and also acts from this.
Among other things, it decides through control efforts with - over its respective midpoints, which have formed from its aims.
It is initially formed from feelings: what I like, what I don't like. Over time, this changes to: I want that, I don't want that. And the SELF forms itself accordingly. The aims are correspondingly stored in the brain and work unconsciously or consciously.
Depending on the level of development, they are supplemented with cognitive personal aims.
That SELF can control areas of the psyche up to certain limit thresholds and, if necessary, influence them more or less with his will. So overcome other goals in his psyche via the midpoint mechanics.
But the stronger the feelings, the more difficult it becomes.
In general: The more the feelings have power in the goals, the more difficult it is for the mind.
This has to be explained - not feelings! These run according to the laws inherent in them, which can make it difficult for the mind to influence.
This will also have to do with the fact that people have developed through feelings in the course of their evolution - the mind only much later.
Also for this reason - and because it is much easier than using the mind - feeling is often preferred.
The SELF is also a postulated instance in Freud’s psychoanalysis, which is equated with consciousness.
Now consciousness is just a function that is supposed to provide the brain's aims with more precise information so that they can make better decisions.
Therefore, Freud's abovementioned ego invention makes no sense.
In one sentence: consciousness is not the self!
The SELF, that is, what you mean, what you are yourself, as I said, is formed from the feelings of human being, from his mental state. The beginning is around the end of the 2nd year of life.
Here personal aims gradually emerge.
One more word about SELF-Ideal:
This is how you would like to be yourself and how you mean how others should see you.
This can harm you if you set aims incorrectly.