________ emphasized the drive for superiority.

• A. Freud
• B. Jung
• C. Adler
• D. Skinner

Answer: (C)

The drive for superiority is a central idea in Adler's individual psychology. Adler argued that every person starts with feelings of inferiority from childhood and is motivated to overcome them by developing abilities, skills, and a sense of mastery. This striving for improvement isn’t about dominating others; it’s about growing, solving problems, and contributing to the welfare of others, which he called social interest. A healthy pursuit channels these feelings into constructive growth and cooperation, while distortions can lead to self-centered or overcompensating behaviors. In this perspective, the motive to rise above inferiority drives behavior, learning, and the way a person creates a unique style of life. Freud focused on unconscious drives and psychosexual development, Jung on individuation and the collective unconscious, and Skinner on observable behavior and reinforcement, so Adler’s emphasis on striving for superiority stands out as his distinctive contribution.