Early psychoanalysts who broke away from a strict interpretation of psychoanalytic theory were called

• A. evolutionary psychologists.
• B. behavioral psychologists.
• C. neo-Freudians.
• D. Jungians.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the context: The question is about early psychoanalysts who deviated from traditional Freudian psychoanalytic theory.
2. Identify key terms: 'Neo-Freudians' refers to those who adapted Freud's theories, incorporating their own ideas while maintaining some core psychoanalytic principles.
3. Differentiate between options: 'Evolutionary psychologists' focus on how evolutionary principles influence behavior, 'behavioral psychologists' emphasize observable behavior, and 'Jungians' follow Carl Jung's theories, which are distinct from Freud's.
4. Recognize that 'neo-Freudians' is the term used for those who modified Freud's theories, such as Alfred Adler and Karen Horney, while still being influenced by his work.
5. Conclude that the correct answer is 'neo-Freudians' as they represent the group of early psychoanalysts who broke away from strict Freudian interpretation.