Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

Which theorist described the tension transformed into anxiety when sexual desire is controlled and not expressed?

1. Sigmund Freud

2. Carl Jung

3. Erik Erikson

4. Carol Gilligan

The correct answer is: Sigmund Freud

The correct answer is Sigmund Freud, who is well-known for his theories on psychoanalysis and human sexuality. Freud posited that unresolved sexual desires, when repressed or not expressed, lead to tension that is often transformed into anxiety. This is a crucial component of his theory regarding the unconscious mind and the impact of internal conflicts on emotional well-being. Freud emphasized that human behavior is significantly influenced by these unconscious desires and the struggles individuals face when their instincts are in conflict with societal norms or personal control. This tension and its subsequent manifestations, including anxiety, are central to Freud's understanding of psychological health and development. The other theorists mentioned have distinct focuses. Carl Jung was more inclined towards concepts of archetypes and the collective unconscious, Erik Erikson concentrated on psychosocial development stages throughout lifespan, and Carol Gilligan's work primarily addressed moral development and gender differences in ethics. Each of these theories has different foundational principles that do not specifically address the relationship between repressed sexual desire and anxiety in the same way Freud's theories do.