Which statement best captures a core assumption of the psychodynamic approach?

• A. Conscious decision-making governs behaviour.
• B. Unconscious mental processes influence behaviour.
• C. Genetics solely determine personality.
• D. Behavior is shaped only by social learning.

Answer: (B)

In psychodynamic theory, behavior is largely driven by unconscious mental processes and inner conflicts that often originate in early experiences. This means much of what we do is influenced by desires, fears, and motives we aren’t consciously aware of, shaping actions and feelings even when we can’t articulate why. The idea that unconscious processes influence behaviour best captures this perspective, aligning with notions like the unconscious mind, internal conflicts among id, ego, and superego, and defense mechanisms that blur the line between our wishes and our actions. By contrast, conscious decision-making as the main driver fits cognitive accounts, genetics determining personality reflects a biological determinism view, and behavior shaped only by social learning corresponds to learning theories—none of which center on the unconscious influence that defines psychodynamic thought.