neoFreudian

Neo-Freudian, sometimes written neoFreudian, is a label used in psychology to describe theorists who emerged in the early to mid-20th century who built on Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic framework but revised and extended it in directions that emphasized the ego, social and cultural factors, and interpersonal relations. They retained some core Freudian concepts, such as the existence of the unconscious and defense mechanisms, but broadened the focus beyond sexual drives as the primary motivator and highlighted development across the lifespan.

Prominent neo-Freudians include Alfred Adler, who stressed feelings of inferiority and social interest; Karen Horney, who analyzed basic anxiety and coping strategies; Erik Erikson, who formulated psychosocial stages of development; Erich Fromm, who integrated humanistic and social theories; and Harry Stack Sullivan, who developed an interpersonal approach to personality and mental disorder. In later work, ego psychology thinkers such as Heinz Hartmann and others emphasized the functions of the ego and its role in adapting to reality, often placing greater emphasis on object relations and cultural context.

Neo-Freudian theories contributed to broadening psychoanalytic practice, influencing psychotherapy, personality theory, and social psychology. Critics argue that the term can obscure important differences among theorists and that some ideas depart from Freud’s original framework, particularly his emphasis on sexuality. Nonetheless, the neo-Freudian movement helped integrate psychoanalysis with broader psychological understanding and laid groundwork for contemporary psychodynamic approaches.