Final answer:
Alfred Adler's theory of healthy mental development focused on social motives and the concept of the inferiority complex.
Step-by-step explanation:
Alfred Adler, a colleague of Freud's, believed in the importance of social connections and proposed the concept of the inferiority complex. According to Adler, feelings of inferiority in childhood drive people to strive for superiority, which influences their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Adler's theory of healthy mental development focused on social motives and emphasized conscious rather than unconscious motivation.
Another fundamental principle of Adler's theory is the significance of birth order on personality development, suggesting that each position within the family can lead to different personality traits. However, the influence of birth order remains a topic of debate among psychologists due to inconsistent research findings.
Unlike Freud, who focused on sexual and aggressive drives, Adler emphasized social motives and the impact of conscious choices and awareness. While Adler did recognize the role of unconscious processes, he viewed conscious motivations as more critical for understanding human behavior and developing a well-adjusted personality.