Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Adult behavior refers to the actions and choices made by individuals who have reached maturity. It encompasses a wide range of behaviors, including social interactions, decision-making, and emotional responses.
The events and interactions that occur during one's early years of life, which can shape adult behavior.
Unconscious conflicts: Inner struggles or tensions that exist beneath conscious awareness but still impact adult behavior.
Psychoanalytic theory: A psychological approach developed by Sigmund Freud that emphasizes the influence of unconscious processes on human thoughts and behaviors.