Which of the following is a reason why Freud believed that psychotherapy was beneficial according to the psychodynamic perspective on personality?

• A. It eliminates the need for defense mechanisms by removing all anxiety.
• B. It focuses solely on modifying observable behaviors without exploring inner thoughts.
• C. It directly changes genetic predispositions for personality traits.
• D. It allows unconscious conflicts to be brought into conscious awareness, facilitating resolution.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that Freud's psychodynamic perspective emphasizes the role of unconscious processes in shaping personality and behavior.
2. Recognize that defense mechanisms are unconscious strategies used by the ego to manage anxiety arising from conflicts between the id, ego, and superego.
3. Know that Freud believed psychotherapy helps by bringing unconscious conflicts and thoughts into conscious awareness, allowing the individual to understand and resolve them.
4. Note that this process does not eliminate anxiety instantly or remove defense mechanisms entirely but helps the person gain insight into their inner conflicts.
5. Therefore, the key benefit of psychotherapy in Freud's view is facilitating conscious awareness of unconscious conflicts, which can lead to emotional healing and personality change.