11.3 Neo-Freudians: Adler, Erikson, Jung, and Horney

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

  • Discuss the concept of the inferiority complex
  • Discuss the core differences between Erikson’s and Freud’s views on personality
  • Discuss Jung’s ideas of the collective unconscious and archetypes
  • Discuss the work of Karen Horney, including her revision of Freud’s “penis envy”

Freud attracted many followers who modified his ideas to create new theories about personality. These theorists, referred to as neo-Freudians, generally agreed with Freud that childhood experiences matter, but deemphasized sex, focusing more on the social environment and effects of culture on personality. Four notable neo-Freudians include Alfred Adler, Erik Erikson, Carl Jung (pronounced “Yoong”), and Karen Horney (pronounced “HORN-eye”).

This lesson has no exercises.

The content of this course has been taken from the free Psychology textbook by Openstax