What psychological concept suggests that striving towards superiority drives personality?

Study for the ETS Psychology Test. Improve your skills with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

The concept that suggests striving towards superiority drives personality is known as the "creative self." This idea, developed by psychologist Alfred Adler, emphasizes that individuals possess the ability to shape their own personality and destiny through their creative power. The creative self is responsible for the unique ways people strive for their goals and pursue personal growth, which is central to Adler's theory of Individual Psychology.

Adler believed that all humans are motivated by a desire to overcome feelings of inferiority and to achieve a sense of superiority, which is not just about being better than others but rather about becoming the best version of oneself. This striving towards superiority influences personality development and behavior in a significant manner, as individuals formulate their own paths and purposes in life based on their innate drive to improve and self-actualize.

In contrast, the inferiority complex relates to feelings of inadequacy that might hinder personal development but is not the primary driver of personality. Behavior reinforcement focuses on how behaviors are shaped through reinforcement but does not encompass the broader striving for superiority. Basic anxiety, rooted in feelings of insecurity and fear, does not represent the motivating force behind personality in the way the creative self does. Thus, the creative self is the key concept that captures the essence of this drive toward personal excellence and

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