National Certified Addiction Counselor, Level 2 (NCAC II) Practice Exam Exam

Whose theory emphasizes childhood events and abnormal development?

1. Jean Piaget

2. Erik Erikson

3. Sigmund Freud

4. Carl Rogers

The correct answer is: Sigmund Freud

The correct answer is Sigmund Freud, as his theory of psychosexual development places significant emphasis on childhood events and their impact on psychological growth. Freud believed that early childhood experiences, particularly those related to family dynamics and sexual development, play a crucial role in shaping one's personality and behaviors in adulthood. His model focuses on the resolution of conflicts during various stages of development, which if unresolved, can lead to neuroses and other psychological challenges later in life. Freud's emphasis on the unconscious mind and its interaction with childhood experiences makes his contributions particularly relevant to the understanding of how abnormal development can occur based on early life events. Other theorists, while important in their own rights, have different focuses. For instance, Jean Piaget is renowned for his work on cognitive development rather than emotional or psychological development directly linked to childhood events. Erik Erikson expanded on Freud's ideas by incorporating social and developmental aspects over the lifespan but didn’t emphasize specific traumatic childhood events to the same degree. Carl Rogers, known for his humanistic approach, focuses more on individual experience and self-actualization rather than the impact of childhood events on abnormal development.