In psychology and literary theory, the term "racial unconscious" is used to suggest which of the following ideas about memory and the human mind?

Introduction / Context:
This question touches on concepts found in psychology and sometimes in literary interpretation, especially in the context of works that explore instinct, heredity and deep memory. The term "racial unconscious" is closely related to ideas about a collective or inherited unconscious, where certain patterns of behaviour, images and memories are thought to be shared by a group, race or species beyond individual experience.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The term in focus is "racial unconscious".
• Several options connect it with survival instincts, prejudice, natural selection and shared ancient memories.
• The question asks which statement best captures the meaning of the term.
• We assume a basic familiarity with psychoanalytic and literary interpretations of collective memory.

Concept / Approach:
The "racial unconscious" is often used in a way similar to Carl Jung's idea of the collective unconscious, where archetypes and primordial images are inherited by members of a group. In this context, "racial" does not only refer to race in the modern sociological sense but more broadly to species, culture or lineage. The key idea is that individuals can exhibit patterns of thought and behaviour arising from deep, shared memories rather than from personal experience alone. Therefore, the option that speaks of species and cultures sharing ancient memories stored in the unconscious mind best reflects this meaning.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Focus on the central phrase "racial unconscious" and relate it to "collective unconscious". Step 2: Recognise that the term points toward something stored in the unconscious part of the mind. Step 3: Among the options, look for one that directly mentions shared or inherited memories. Step 4: Option B states that each species and culture shares ancient memories stored in the unconscious, which matches the concept. Step 5: The other options refer to prejudice, survival rules or natural selection, which are related ideas but do not define "racial unconscious" itself.

Verification / Alternative check:
In psychological and literary discussions, the "racial unconscious" is typically defined as the layer of the unconscious mind where archetypal memories and experiences of the group or race are stored. It parallels the notion that myths, symbols and instinctive responses may come from a deeper inherited layer rather than individual learning. This aligns closely with option B and not with the other, more behaviour based statements.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
That one must learn the law of club and fang to survive: This phrase evokes a law of brutal survival, but it describes a rule of behaviour rather than a definition of racial unconscious as shared deep memory.
That everyone is prejudiced to some degree, even if unaware of it: While unconscious bias is a real concept, it does not capture the full notion of inherited, shared memories that "racial unconscious" refers to.
That nature always weeds out the weakest and most unfit: This expresses a version of natural selection or survival of the fittest, a biological idea, not a psychological concept about collective unconscious memory.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to associate "racial unconscious" only with racism or prejudice because of the word "racial". Another error is to connect it solely with the harsh laws of nature described in literature, ignoring the deeper psychological meaning. To avoid confusion, students should remember that in this context "racial" points to a group level or species level layer of the unconscious that contains ancestral memories and archetypal patterns.

Final Answer:
The term "racial unconscious" means that each species and culture shares ancient memories stored in the unconscious part of the mind.