The theories of Sigmund Freud and his followers:
A) are based on the idea that much of human behaviour is determined by mental processes operating below the level of conscious awareness
B) emphasize the functions served by the mind
C) emphasize the concept that the whole is different than the sum of its parts
D) state that behaviour can be altered by the application of reinforcement and punishment

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The theories of Sigmund Freud and his followers are based on the idea that much of human behaviour is determined by mental processes operating below the level of conscious awareness, such as unconscious desires and conflicts. This is one of the core concepts of psychoanalytic theory.

Answer: B
 While Freud's theories do focus on unconscious mental processes, they also emphasize the functions served by the mind, such as repressing unacceptable thoughts and impulses. Freud's structural theory of the id, ego, and superego also emphasizes the role of the psyche in regulating behaviour.

Answer: C
 This statement is more closely associated with the Gestalt school of psychology, which emphasized the importance of perception and context in determining behaviour.

Answer: D
 This statement is more closely associated with behaviourism, a school of psychology that emerged in the early 1900s and emphasized the role of reinforcement and punishment in shaping behaviour. While Freud's theory does touch on the role of external influences in shaping behaviour, it does not emphasize them to the same degree as behaviourism.

The Theories of Sigmund Freud and His Followers