Final answer:
Freud posited that Libido and Thanatos, which are pleasure-seeking and aggressive drives respectively, are the motivational forces behind behavior. They encompass the id's pursuit for immediate gratification that the ego must balance against the moralizing superego.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Freud, the motivational forces that drive behavior and determine its direction are the Libido and Thanatos. These represent the pleasure-seeking and aggressive drives of our biology, which Freud labeled Eros (the Pleasure Principle) and Thanatos (the Death Drive), respectively. These forces are a part of the id, which is the unconscious, instinctive component of personality that demands immediate gratification.
The id is in continuous conflict with the superego, which develops through social interaction and represents the moral standards and ideals of society. Freud described the ego as the rational, conscious part of the personality, whose role is to mediate between the id's desires and the superego's restrictions, adhering to the reality principle. A strong ego effectively balances these competing forces, leading to a healthy personality, while imbalances can result in neurosis or anxiety disorders.