If someone were to feel guilty about wanting to strike his father after being provoked, even though the action was never carried out, Freud would probably say that guilt was due to the action of which of the following?
A) weak ego.
B) harsh superego.
C) an emerging id.
D) both (a) and (c) in combination.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Freud would likely attribute the feeling of guilt, despite not acting on the aggressive impulse, to a harsh superego. The superego acts as a moral conscience and can induce feelings of guilt for merely having thoughts considered unacceptable or wrong, even if those thoughts are not acted upon.

If Someone Were to Feel Guilty About Wanting to Strike