Question:
Discuss the contribution of Adler and Jung towards explanation of human behavior.
Answer:
Contribution of Adler and Jung Towards Explanation of Human Behavior
Alfred Adler and Carl Jung made significant contributions to the field of psychology, offering unique perspectives on human behavior that continue to influence modern psychological theory.
1. Alfred Adler’s Contributions
- Individual Psychology: Adler emphasized the importance of social factors in shaping personality and behavior, arguing that individuals are motivated by a drive to overcome inferiority and achieve superiority.
- Social Interest: He proposed that mental health depends on the individual’s sense of social interest or community feeling—how well one integrates into society.
- Holistic View of Human Nature: Adler believed that individuals cannot be understood in isolation; instead, human behavior must be viewed as a whole, including emotional, social, and cognitive factors.
2. Carl Jung’s Contributions
- Analytical Psychology: Jung developed the theory of analytical psychology, focusing on the unconscious and its influence on behavior. He introduced concepts such as the collective unconscious, which he believed was shared across humanity and contained archetypes.
- Personality Types: Jung proposed the theory of introversion and extraversion as key dimensions of personality, influencing modern personality psychology.
- Individuation Process: Jung believed in the process of individuation, a journey of self-discovery where individuals integrate different aspects of their unconscious mind into their conscious self, fostering personal growth.
