Final answer:
Excessive guilt according to Freudian theory is attributed to overly powerful superego impulses, which create an unhealthy sense of morality and perfectionism that can hinder socially acceptable pleasure and lead to psychological distress.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct option is B:
According to the Freudian model, excessive guilt stems from overly powerful and unhealthy b) Superego impulses. In Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theory of personality, the id, ego, and superego represent different components of the human psyche that govern behavior, impulses, and moral judgment. The id is driven by the pleasure principle and seeks immediate gratification for our basic instincts and desires. It operates unconsciously and is present from birth. In contrast, the superego operates as the moral compass, embodying the social rules for right and wrong, and strives for perfection. It's also largely unconscious and develops through social interactions. The ego, considered by Freud to be the self, operates on the reality principle, finding realistic ways to satisfy the id's desires without falling foul of the superego's rules.
Excessive guilt can be seen as a symptom of an overly dominant superego which, when too harsh, can cause an individual to suffer from an overbearing sense of morality and perfectionism, perhaps foregoing even socially acceptable pleasures. A strong, balanced ego is required to negotiate the demands of both the id and superego, but an overpowered superego can lead to feelings of guilt and inadequacy when the ideal is not met. Freudian theory suggests that this imbalance can lead to psychological disorders associated with anxiety, neurosis, and unrealistic self-expectation, as the person becomes trapped in the constrictions of their own conscience.