Alfred Adler and Individual Psychology: Key Principles and Applications

Alfred Adler

Born February 7, 1870, in Rudolfsheim, Austria; died May 28, 1937, in Aberdeen, Scotland; known for Individual Psychology.

Individual Psychology

An optimistic, socially oriented theory of personality.

Social Interest

A feeling of oneness and cooperation with humanity.

Motivation

People are motivated by social influences and the striving for superiority or success.

Personal Responsibility

Individuals are responsible for who they are.

Behavior

Shaped more by future goals than past causes.

Healthy Individuals

Understand what and why they are doing something.

Freud's Group

Adler was once part of Freud's group but broke away due to disagreements.

Childhood Illness

Adler was sickly and almost died of pneumonia at age 5, inspiring him to become a doctor.

Rivalry

Early rivalry with his brother Sigmund Adler shaped his drive to succeed.

Conquer Death

Inspired by the death of his brother Rudolf and his own illness.

Marriage

Married Raissa Epstein, an independent feminist; had 4 children.

Death

Died of a heart attack in 1937 while lecturing in Scotland.

Optimism

Known for optimism, equality advocacy, and insight into family dynamics.

Striving for Success or Superiority

The main driving force in behavior, starting from feelings of inferiority caused by childhood weakness.

Types of Striving

Unhealthy: for personal superiority (self-centered); Healthy: for success for all humankind (socially oriented).

Final Goal

A fictional future ideal that gives life direction and purpose.

Compensation

Striving helps overcome weaknesses or deficiencies.

Example of Striving

A weak child may dream of being strong — this motivates growth and achievement.

Subjective Perceptions

Behavior is shaped by how people see the world, not reality itself.

Fictionalism

We act 'as if' our beliefs about the future are true.

Physical Inferiorities

Stimulate people to strive for improvement.

Unity of Personality

All behavior is goal-directed and unified.

Organ Dialect

The body expresses the person's lifestyle (e.g., headaches showing stress).

Conscious & Unconscious

Both work together toward one goal.

Social Interest (Gemeinschaftsgefühl)

The measure of human value and mental health.

Feeling of Community

Empathy and cooperation.

Origin of Social Interest

Develops in early parent-child relationships.

Importance of Social Interest

Society survives only through cooperation.

Occupational Life Task

Productive work for society.

Social Life Task

Positive relationships and cooperation.

Love and Marriage Life Task

Intimate relationships and care for others.

Types of People by Social Interest

Ruling/Dominant, Getting/Learning, Avoiding, Socially Useful.

Ruling/Dominant Type

Tries to control others.

Getting/Learning Type

Dependent, takes from others.

Avoiding Type

Escapes problems, avoids failure.

Socially Useful Type

Cooperative, solves problems constructively.

Style of Life

The unique pattern of how each person strives for goals.

Influence on Style of Life

Set around age 4-5, influenced by early experiences.

Healthy Style of Life

Flexible and socially useful.

Creative Power

People create their own personality and lifestyle.

Freedom and Responsibility

Leads to freedom and responsibility for one's choices.

Main Cause of Abnormal Development

Lack of social interest.

Unhealthy People Characteristics

Set unrealistic goals, are dogmatic (rigid), live in their own world.

External Factors of Maladjustment

Exaggerated physical deficiencies, pampered style of life, neglected style of life.

Safeguarding Tendencies

Ways to protect self-esteem: Excuses, Aggression, Withdrawal.

Masculine Protest

Overemphasis on being 'manly' or strong due to feelings of inferiority.

Family Constellation

Birth order influences lifestyle.

Firstborn Characteristics

Authoritative, anxious, protective.

Second-born Characteristics

Competitive, socially active.

Youngest Characteristics

Pampered, less independent.

Only Child Characteristics

Mix of oldest and youngest traits.

Early Recollections

Earliest memories reflect a person's current lifestyle and worldview.

Therapist's Understanding

Help therapists understand personality direction.