Which psychologist is associated with Adlerian psychology and the concept of social interest, emphasizing a holistic view?

Which psychologist is associated with Adlerian psychology and the concept of social interest, emphasizing a holistic view?

• A. Rudolf Dreikurs
• B. Alfred Adler
• C. John Bowlby
• D. B.F. Skinner

Answer: (B)

Adlerian psychology centers on treating the person as a whole and valuing social connectedness. Alfred Adler founded this approach and introduced social interest (Gemeinschaftsgefühl) as a key indicator of mental health—the idea that well-being comes from feeling part of a community, forming cooperative bonds, and contributing to others’ welfare. The holistic view in his theory means understanding a person within the full context of their life: their goals, family dynamics, early experiences, and social environment, rather than isolating separate drives or symptoms. Because of these core ideas—the founder of Adlerian psychology and the emphasis on social interest within a unified, context-filled view—Alfred Adler is the psychologist associated with Adlerian psychology and this concept. While Rudolf Dreikurs later expanded Adlerian ideas in practice, and John Bowlby and B.F. Skinner are known for attachment theory and behaviorism respectively, Adler is the one tied to both Adlerian psychology and social interest.

Adlerian psychology centers on treating the person as a whole and valuing social connectedness. Alfred Adler founded this approach and introduced social interest (Gemeinschaftsgefühl) as a key indicator of mental health—the idea that well-being comes from feeling part of a community, forming cooperative bonds, and contributing to others’ welfare. The holistic view in his theory means understanding a person within the full context of their life: their goals, family dynamics, early experiences, and social environment, rather than isolating separate drives or symptoms. Because of these core ideas—the founder of Adlerian psychology and the emphasis on social interest within a unified, context-filled view—Alfred Adler is the psychologist associated with Adlerian psychology and this concept. While Rudolf Dreikurs later expanded Adlerian ideas in practice, and John Bowlby and B.F. Skinner are known for attachment theory and behaviorism respectively, Adler is the one tied to both Adlerian psychology and social interest.