Question:medium

Arrange the following personality theories in chronological order.
A. Social Learning Theory
B. Humanistic Psychology
C. Psychoanalytic Theory
D. Interpersonal Theory

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

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Remember the historical "forces" in psychology: 1st Force = Psychoanalysis, 2nd Force = Behaviorism (from which Social Learning Theory evolved), 3rd Force = Humanism. This provides a basic timeline. The Interpersonal/Neo-Freudian theories act as a bridge after original psychoanalysis.
Updated On: Feb 19, 2026
  • C, D, A, B
  • B, A, D, C
  • A, C, B, D
  • A, B, C, D
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understand the Objective: The task is to order major personality theory schools historically by their emergence and impact. Step 2: Detailed Analysis:
C. Psychoanalytic Theory: Sigmund Freud initiated this foundational theory in the late 1890s, gaining prominence in the early 20th century.
D. Interpersonal Theory: Neo-Freudians (e.g., Horney, Sullivan) expanded upon psychoanalysis from the 1930s to the 1950s, shifting focus to social and interpersonal dynamics.
A. Social Learning Theory: Emerging from behaviorism, this theory, notably advanced by Bandura in the 1960s (with earlier roots in the 1940s), highlights observational learning.
B. Humanistic Psychology: Developed by figures like Rogers and Maslow, this "third force" emerged in the 1950s and 1960s as a response to psychoanalysis and behaviorism.
The historical progression generally follows: Psychoanalysis $\rightarrow$ Neo-Freudian/Interpersonal $\rightarrow$ Social Learning and Humanistic theories in the mid-20th century. The sequence C $\rightarrow$ D $\rightarrow$ A $\rightarrow$ B represents a plausible chronological order, with early social learning theories preceding the peak of humanistic psychology.
Step 3: Conclusion: The most logical historical sequence presented is C, D, A, B.
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