According to the psychodynamic perspective on personality, which of the following statements is most accurate?

• A. Personality is fixed and cannot change throughout life.
• B. Personality is shaped by unconscious motives and early childhood experiences rather than solely by the environment.
• C. Personality is determined only by genetic inheritance.
• D. Our personality is based solely on the environment in which we live.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the psychodynamic perspective on personality, which emphasizes the role of unconscious motives and early childhood experiences in shaping personality.
2. Step 2: Recognize that this perspective, originally developed by Freud, suggests that personality is not fixed and can be influenced by internal psychological processes.
3. Step 3: Compare the given statements to the core ideas of the psychodynamic theory, noting that it does not claim personality is solely determined by genetics or environment alone.
4. Step 4: Identify that the statement emphasizing unconscious motives and early childhood experiences aligns best with the psychodynamic view.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the most accurate statement is the one highlighting the influence of unconscious motives and early childhood experiences rather than fixed traits or solely genetic/environmental factors.