A friend who has been studying psychology a lot longer than you tells you that your habit of biting your nails is the result of an inner conflict between your personal need to stay a child and society's demand that you grow up. You should recognize this advice as stemming from the ________ perspective.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This advice is characteristic of the psychodynamic perspective, which emphasizes the influence of unconscious processes and childhood experiences on behavior. The mention of inner conflict and the need to stay a child versus societal demands aligns with concepts frequently discussed in psychodynamic theory, originally developed by Freud.  The main purpose of action is to reduce tension. Tension is created between your need to stay child-like and society's demands. The visible behavior of biting your nails is a symbol of the complex unconscious interaction of inner and outer forces each vying for fulfillment of conflicting needs.

A Friend Who Has Been Studying Psychology a Lot Longer