Which of the following statements most accurately summarizes the psychoanalytic theory of personality according to the psychodynamic perspective?

• A. Personality is primarily determined by observable behaviors and learned responses to the environment.
• B. Personality develops through self-actualization and the fulfillment of individual potential.
• C. Personality is shaped by unconscious motives and conflicts, especially those rooted in childhood experiences.
• D. Personality is the result of genetic inheritance and biological processes alone.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the core focus of the psychoanalytic theory within the psychodynamic perspective, which emphasizes the role of unconscious processes in shaping personality.
2. Understand that psychoanalytic theory, founded by Freud, highlights how unconscious motives and internal conflicts, often stemming from early childhood experiences, influence behavior and personality development.
3. Recognize that this theory contrasts with other perspectives, such as behaviorism (which focuses on observable behaviors), humanistic psychology (which emphasizes self-actualization), and biological approaches (which focus on genetics and biology).
4. Analyze each statement by comparing it to the key principles of psychoanalytic theory: the importance of unconscious motives, internal conflicts, and childhood experiences.
5. Conclude that the statement best summarizing psychoanalytic theory is the one emphasizing personality as shaped by unconscious motives and conflicts rooted in childhood, as this aligns directly with the psychodynamic perspective.