Question

Why is Adler's or Horney's theory so important to the study of psychology today? What would psychology be missing without Adler's or Horney's theory? Be specific as it relates to Adler's or Horney's theory. (759 - 1000 words)

Answer 1

Alfred Adler, a colleague of Freud founded a school of psychology called individual psychology, which emphasizes on human's drive to compensate for inferior feelings. He was the one to propose and contribute to the concept of inferiority complex, which is a person's feeling that he doesn't measure up in comparison to others. This idea was the main difference between Alfred's and Freud's theory. He brought in a different view which explains the people's motive to excel is because of their inferiority feelings in childhood. His work focussed on the child development through social development unlike other theories reasoning the behaviours as due to sexual urge.

Adler also contributed by identifying three fundamental social tasks which occurs in common day to day lives - occupational, societal and love tasks. He also emphasized on conscious motivation as the social tasks are known and sought for.

A major contribution to personality psychology by him was by the idea of birth order shaping the personality of the person.

He brought in different views and without his theories concepts of inferiority complex, social tasks and birth order would be missing in personality psychology.