Theory of Personality (D564) Practice Exam 2026 – The All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

According to Freud, unresolved conflicts during childhood can significantly impact an individual's emotional well-being in later life, leading to what he termed neuroses. These childhood conflicts often arise from internal struggles, particularly those involving primal urges and societal expectations, typical of Freud's psychosexual stages of development. If these conflicts are not adequately resolved, they can manifest as anxiety, depression, compulsive behaviors, or other emotional disturbances, which Freud believed are rooted in repressed memories or unresolved tensions.

In this context, the development of neuroses stems from the idea that individuals carry emotional scars from childhood experiences into adulthood. For instance, a child who deals with feelings of abandonment or rejection may grow up to struggle with trust issues or relationship difficulties. Freud posited that these unresolved issues could lead to various psychological problems, seriously influencing one’s personality and behavior patterns.

The other choices do not accurately reflect Freud's views on childhood conflicts. For example, unresolved conflicts would not typically lead to a strengthened personality or improved adaptability; rather, they hinder development and can contribute to maladaptive traits. Specifically, a lack of personality development might result in stagnation, but Freud emphasized the necessity of successfully navigating conflicts for healthy personality progression.