Which of the following is most similar to how we think about the mental representation of "essences" under the view of psychological essentialism?

A) environment
B) DNA
C) memory
D) IQ

Psychological essentialism is a theory suggesting that people often think of categories (such as biological species or social groups) as defined by some underlying essence that members of the category share. This essence is typically thought of as an innate, immutable quality that gives the category its identity. DNA, as a biological basis for genetic inheritance and a determinant of many physical and some behavioral traits, serves as a metaphor for this kind of essence. It is seen as the core component that defines the nature of an organism, much like how essences are viewed in psychological essentialism.