T.O.P. Lesson 3: Individual Psychology - Alfred Adler

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key Adlerian theory concepts from the notes.

Alfred Adler

Austrian psychiatrist (1870–1937), founder of Individual Psychology who emphasized social interest, unity of personality, and personal responsibility.

Individual psychology

Adler's theory focusing on the whole person, unity of personality, social interest, final goals, and creative power.

Social interest (Gemeinschaftsgefühl)

Feeling of oneness with humanity; the basis of psychological health and motivation to contribute to the welfare of others and society.

Social interest origins

Rooted in the mother–child relationship in infancy; everyone has potential social interest that can be developed.

Final goal (fictional final goal)

A fictional, future-oriented aim that guides behavior; not an objectively existing end but unifies personality.

Striving for superiority

Dynamic force behind behavior; drive to overcome feelings of inferiority; later specified as striving for personal superiority or success.

Striving for personal superiority

Pursuit of self-centered goals with little regard for others; often tied to inferiority feelings.

Striving for success

Motivation guided by social interest and the welfare of all; personal growth linked to society’s progress.

Final goal as product of creative power

Final goal arises from the individual freely shaping behavior and personality through creative power.

Creative power

Freedom and capacity to shape one’s own style of life, goals, and path; central to personal development.

Style of life

Unique pattern of goals, self-concept, feelings, and attitudes; formed by heredity, environment, and creative power; usually established by age 4–5.

Unity and self-consistency of personality

Idea that thoughts, feelings, and actions are aligned toward a single goal; personality is a coordinated system.

Organ dialect

The body expresses the direction of a person’s goal; a troubled organ reveals the individual’s aim.

Conscious and unconscious (Adlerian view)

Not a strict split; conscious and unconscious aspects work together in a unified system toward goals.

Fictionalism

Belief in fictions or imagined goals that influence behavior and guide the style of life.

Teleology

Explanation of behavior by final purpose or aim rather than by sole causality.

Three major problems of life

Neighborly love, sexual love, and occupation; solved through cooperation, courage, and contribution to others.

Neighbors and social orientation (neighborly love)

A component of social life involving caring and cooperation with others.

Sexual love

Intimate relationships governed by social responsibility and cooperation rather than selfish gain.

Occupation

Work and vocation viewed as a field for contributing to society and developing social interest.

Organ dialect

A body language of the goal; bodily cues reveal the direction of the person’s striving.

Conscious–unconscious harmony

Healthy personality shows harmony between conscious aims and unconscious motives, with the goal in view.

Safeguarding tendencies

Protective patterns used to shield an inflated self-esteem from public disgrace.

Excuses

Yes, but and If only statements used to defend self-image and avoid responsibility.

Aggression

Depreciation, accusation, or self-accusation used to protect self-esteem and assert superiority.

Depreciation

Undervaluing others while overvaluing oneself; a form of aggressive self-protection.

Accusation

Blaming others for one’s failures to safeguard self-esteem.

Self-accusation

Self-torture, guilt, or self-punishment used to maintain a fragile self-image.

Withdrawal

Safeguarding through distance; several modes to avoid difficulties or responsibility.

Moving backward

Regressing to a previous life stage to feel secure and protect the fictional goal.

Standing still

Avoiding action and responsibility by not moving in any direction.

Hesitating

Procrastinating when faced with problems; delaying decisions out of fear.

Constructing obstacles

Creating artificial barriers to block progress; can produce excuses if goals are unmet.

Masculine protest

Idea that social forces push both men and women to overemphasize manliness; not biologically fixed.

Birth order / Family constellation

Position of birth and family dynamics shape personality; environment often more influential after age 5.

Firstborn

Experiences dethronement when a younger child is born; may become hostile or cooperative depending on prior style.

Second-born

Typically moderately competitive; may develop revolutionary attitudes under certain conditions.

Only child

Often an inflated self-concept with high expectations, less social interest, and a tendency toward pampering.

Early recollections (ERs)

Memories used to infer style of life; not causal; reflect present life themes rather than determine it.

Dream interpretation in Adlerian therapy

Dreams provide clues to future problems; interpreted with the rule that everything can be different.

Psychotherapy goals (Adlerian)

Increase courage, reduce inferiority feelings, and promote social interest to solve life problems.

Exaggerated physical deficiencies

Overemphasis on physical weaknesses leading to overcompensation and self-centered behavior.

Pampered style of life

Overprotected, dependent, low social interest; expects others to care for them; anxious and entitled.

Neglected style of life

Feeling unloved or unwanted leading to low social interest and maladjustment tendencies.

External factors in maladjustment

Exaggerated deficiencies, pampered life, or neglected life can each contribute to maladjustment.

Law of the low doorway

Creative power offers two paths through a small obstacle: stoop and pass or bump head and continue; healthy vs neurotic choices.