Denny Works in an Office with About 50 Other Attorneys

question 155

Multiple Choice

Denny works in an office with about 50 other attorneys. The environment is fiercely competitive because many of them want to be made a partner in the firm. In an effort to gain some ground, Denny began spreading harmful rumors about two of his coworkers. Even though Denny knew that the rumors could ultimately impact their career in a negative manner, he still chose to engage in the rumor-spreading behavior. Which of the following, according to Freud's theory, would likely be the cause of Denny's malicious acts?

• A)the death instinct
• B)an unsuccessful resolution of the latency stage
• C)the ego ideal
• D)the superego

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Definitions:

Subliminal Perception

The process by which stimuli presented below the threshold of conscious awareness can influence thoughts, feelings, or actions, despite the individual being unaware of the stimuli.

Sensory Adaptation

The process by which sensory receptors become less sensitive to constant stimuli over time, allowing organisms to focus on changes in their environment.

Conscious Awareness

The state of being aware of one's own existence, sensations, thoughts, surroundings, etc.

Light Rays

Streams of photons traveling in a straight line, which are the basis of vision and are instrumental in phenomena such as reflection and refraction.