In Adler’s psychodynamic theory, which behavior best illustrates compensation?

• A. A student who feels physically weak trains intensely and becomes an excellent athlete to overcome that perceived weakness.
• B. A person refuses to acknowledge a distressing diagnosis and insists nothing is wrong despite clear evidence.
• C. A person attributes their own hostile feelings to others and insists that everyone else is out to get them.
• D. A person channels unacceptable impulses into socially acceptable activities, such as expressing aggression through competitive sports.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of compensation in Adler's psychodynamic theory. Compensation refers to the process where an individual attempts to overcome perceived weaknesses or feelings of inferiority by developing other strengths or abilities.
2. Step 2: Analyze each behavior option in the problem to see which one involves overcoming a perceived weakness by developing a strength or skill.
3. Step 3: Identify the behavior where a student feels physically weak but trains intensely to become an excellent athlete. This directly illustrates compensation because the student is addressing a perceived weakness by building strength.
4. Step 4: Compare this with other options: denial of a diagnosis is an example of repression or denial; attributing hostile feelings to others is projection; channeling impulses into socially acceptable activities is sublimation.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the behavior best illustrating compensation is the student who overcomes physical weakness by intense training, as it matches Adler's definition of compensation.