(Lecture Notes) Alfred Adler's Individual Psychology

Flashcards covering key concepts from Alfred Adler's Individual Psychology, including inferiority and superiority complexes, birth order effects, and goal-directed behavior.

Individual Psychology

Developed by Alfred Adler, this theory focuses on the individual's striving for superiority and overcoming inferiority feelings.

Inferiority feelings

A universal feeling in all infants of being immature, incomplete, and incompetent, which is productive as it motivates development.

Inferiority complex

An exaggerated feeling of inadequacy and inferiority in adults, arising when initial inferiority feelings are not adequately addressed by nurturing and care.

Striving for superiority

An innate, major motivating force that leads to growth, representing an attempt to overcome inferiority and move from a negative to a positive state.

Superiority complex

Developed when a person has an exaggerated need to prove they are more superior than they are, involving exaggerated beliefs about one's abilities or achievements.

First-born

In birth order theory, individuals often characterized as 'a guardian of law and order,' showing high concern with power and a desire to lead, protect, or help.

Second-born

In birth order theory, individuals described as 'striving for superiority under pressure,' often competitive, ambitious, and surpassing firstborns in achievement.

Youngest child

In birth order theory, individuals who are constantly trying to prove themselves, often more sociable and dependent, having been the 'baby' of the family.

Only child

In birth order theory, individuals who become highly dependent, constantly waiting for guidance and searching for support, due to being the sole object of parental attention.

Creative self

The aspect of an individual that establishes, maintains, and pursues personal goals, constructing one's personality from heredity and environment.

Social interest

The urge in human nature to adapt oneself to the conditions of the social environment.

Goal-directed and purposeful behavior

The concept that all behaviors are a result of our goals, with all living things being governed by goals.

Fictions (Guiding goals)

Beliefs and goals that lead human behavior but may not be based in reality and cannot be tested or confirmed, deriving from the Latin root 'fictio' meaning 'to invent' or 'construct'.

Fictional finalism

The structured beliefs and goals an individual creates for themselves that may not be based in reality, thus cannot be tested or confirmed, motivating all human behavior.