reality principle
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Related to Pleasure principle (psychology): reality principle
reality principle
[rē′al·əd·ē ‚prin·sə·pəl] (psychology)
The concept that the pleasure principle is normally modified by the demands of the external environment and that the individual adjusts to these inescapable requirements so that he ultimately secures satisfaction of his instinctual wishes.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.