Question

Four-year-old Carmen is at the checkout counter with her mother. She sees a candy bar that she really wants. When her mother isn't looking, she grabs one, opens it, and takes a bite from it. Her mother notices the chocolate on her face as they are leaving and asks Carmen where she got chocolate. Carmen happily shows her mom the chocolate bar. Carmen's mom tells her that she should not steal and tells Carmen that she is now in trouble. Carmen never steals again. According to Freud, why would Carmen never steal again?

Answer 1

Question options:

A. Carmen is now afraid of her mother.

B. Carmen now understands that stealing is morally wrong.

C. Carmen sees that her mother's reaction is negative, and through parental introjection, Carmen incorporates the idea that stealing is bad into her value system so that she will not lose the love from her mother.

D. Carmen's Electra Complex will drive her avoidance of stealing in the future.

.

Answer:

C. Carmen sees that her mother's reaction is negative, and through parental introjection, Carmen incorporates the idea that stealing is bad into her value system so that she will not lose the love from her mother

Explanation:

Introjection in Freudian theory refers to one's internalization of authority. According to the Freudian theory by Sigmund Freud, a person internalises the ideas and values of another person and it becomes part of his Super ego. In the example, the girl internalises the authority of his parents and learns that stealing is bad and so adopts that as part of her moral values. Introjectiom does not involve much thoughts and is just usually adopted more unconsciously as in a child would adopts the views and values of her parents.