In Freud’s view, an individual experiencing neurotic anxiety feels
a. a realistic threat is present in the environment.
b. they have behaved in a manner that is inconsistent with his moral code.
c. they will not be able to control their instincts and will behave inappropriately.
d. guilt associated with past actions.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is:
c. they will not be able to control their instincts and will behave inappropriately.
Explanation:
In Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic theory, neurotic anxiety is a type of anxiety that arises from an unconscious fear that an individual’s instincts or impulses will overwhelm their ability to control them, leading to inappropriate behavior. This form of anxiety is typically not linked to any external threat or specific external events but stems from internal conflicts within the individual’s psyche.
Freud’s model of the mind divides it into three key components: the id, the ego, and the superego. The id is the part of the psyche responsible for basic drives and instincts (e.g., sexual desires, aggression). The ego functions as the rational part, working to balance the desires of the id with the constraints of reality. The superego acts as the moral conscience, imposing societal and ethical standards.
Neurotic anxiety emerges when the ego is unable to adequately manage the powerful desires of the id and the moral demands of the superego. The individual becomes anxious because they fear that their unconscious desires will break through the ego’s defenses and cause them to act out in socially inappropriate or morally unacceptable ways. This could result in behaviors that violate social norms, legal standards, or personal moral beliefs.
In this context, neurotic anxiety is not a rational or realistic fear of external dangers but a psychological conflict over internal desires. The individual may feel like they are on the verge of losing control of their actions, which creates a heightened sense of anxiety and worry.
Thus, the correct answer is c, as neurotic anxiety reflects a fear of losing control over one’s inner instincts or impulses, not a reaction to external threats or past actions.