Alfred Adler's Individual Psychology

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the core concepts, personality types, and developmental theories of Alfred Adler's Individual Psychology.

Alfred Adler

An Austrian physician and psychiatrist (7 February 1870 – 28 May 1937) who founded Individual Psychology and emphasized social relationships over the libido concept.

Individual Psychology

A theory focusing on the uniqueness and unity of each individual, their lifestyle, and the social determinations of personality and behavior.

Study of Organ Inferiority

A 1907 study by Adler exploring how physical deficits can lead to feelings of inferiority and subsequent compensation.

Compensation

Attempts to overcome inferior feelings through intellectual, spiritual, or physical growth.

Inferiority Complex

A state characterized by the inability to overcome inferiority feelings, resulting in helplessness and a poor self-opinion.

Organic Inferiority

One of the three sources of an inferiority complex, resulting from physical deficits.

Spoiling

A source of inferiority complex where immediate gratification leads to little regard for the needs of others.

Neglect

A source of inferiority complex characterized by a lack of love and security, leading to feelings of worthlessness.

Superiority Complex

An exaggerated opinion of one's abilities and accomplishments used to overcompensate for feelings of inferiority.

Striving for Superiority

The ultimate goal of life and the drive to perfection; the effort to become complete and whole.

Style of Life

An individual's unique way of perceiving the world, thinking, feeling, and acting, which serves as a guiding framework for behavior.

Private Logic

The internal reasoning that guides a person's style of life and behaviors.

Dominant Style

A style of life characterized by little social awareness.

Getting Style

A style of life where an individual expects to receive satisfaction from others and becomes dependent.

Avoiding Style

A style of life defined by the avoidance of life's problems.

Socially Useful Style

A style of life where an individual cooperates with others and demonstrates social interest.

Creative Power of the Self

The ability of an individual to create their own personality, character, and an appropriate style of life.

Fictional Finalism

The concept that behavior is guided by potential future goals (fictions) as if those goals were already real.

Social Interest

The innate potential to cooperate with others to reach personal and societal goals.

Dethronement

The experience of a first-born child when a sibling is born, leading to the loss of exclusive attention.

First-born child

Often achievement-oriented, responsible, and scrupulous; oriented to the past and may become an authoritarian leader.

Second-born (Middle) child

Typically optimistic, competitive, and ambitious; often in constant competition with older siblings but frequently well-balanced.

Youngest child

Often pampered and protected; can become a high achiever or remain helpless and dependent.

Only child

Matures early but often experiences difficulty when not the center of attention.