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According to Freud's theory, criminal behavior is caused primarily by what emotion?

A) Fear
B) Love
C) Guilt
D) Anger

1 Answer

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Final answer:

Freud's theory suggests that criminal behavior is primarily caused by guilt, which arises from conflicts between the id, ego, and superego, leading to anxiety that the ego attempts to mitigate with defense mechanisms.

Step-by-step explanation:

According to Sigmund Freud's theory, criminal behavior is caused primarily by the emotion of guilt, which is an outcome of inner conflicts between different parts of the psyche. Freud considered the psyche to be comprised of three parts: the id, which represents instinctual drives and desires; the ego, which deals with reality; and the superego, which incorporates the moral standards of society.

These conflicts can lead to anxiety, which the ego seeks to reduce through various defense mechanisms. When the defenses fail or are overwhelmed, this may result in antisocial or criminal behavior. Therefore, the correct answer is C) Guilt.

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