Studied by 2 people
INTRODUCING ADLERIAN THEORY
striving for success or superiority
subjective perceptions
unified and self-consistent
social interest
style of life
creative power
INTRODUCING ADLERIAN THEORY
Less famous because of: not having an organization, not a gifted writer, many of his views are incorporated in the works of later theorists.
INTRODUCING ADLERIAN THEORY
people are born with weak, inferior bodies – a condition to feelings of inferiority and a consequence dependence on other people. Therefore, a feeling of unity with others (SOCIAL INTEREST) is inherent in people and the ULTIMATE STANDARD for Psychological Health
STRIVING FOR SUCCESS OR SUPERIORITY
•Everyone begins life with physical deficiencies that activate feelings of inferiority- feelings that motivate a person to strive for either
STRIVING FOR SUCCESS
success for all humanity : Psychologically healthy
•STRIVING FOR SUPERIORITY
striving for personal superiority over others : Psychologically unhealthy
FEELINGS OF INFERIORITY
Psychological aspect of being inadequate
perception of inadequacy or weakness is more important than the “actual” weakness.
COMPENSATION
People are continually pushed by the need to overcome feelings of inferiority and pulled by the desire for completion.
The striving force is innate
• Efforts one makes to make up for a weakness or deficiency (example: ORGAN INFERIORITY)
INFERIORITY COMPLEX
feelings of inferiority act as a barrier to positive accomplishment –“inability to solve life’s problems”
SUPERIORITY COMPLEX
exaggerated opinion of one’s abilities and accomplishments
- The person becomes insensitive, boastful, arrogant, insulting and lacking social interest
FICTIONALISM
Fictions are ideas that have no real existence, yet they influence people AS IF they really existed.
FICTIONALISM
People are motivated not by what is true but by their SUBJECTIVE perceptions of what is true.
ORGAN DIALECT
The disturbance of one part of the body cannot be viewed in isolation; it affects the entire person.
speak a language which is usually more expressive and discloses the individual's opinion more clearly than words are able to do"
SOCIAL INTEREST
The relationship of a child with the mother and father is so powerful that it smothers the effect of heredity.
SOCIAL INTEREST
Necessity for perpetuating the human species
• Originates from the mother-child relationship
SOCIAL INTEREST
• It is the NATURAL condition of the human species and the adhesive that binds society together
SOCIAL INTEREST
• German word > GEMEINSCHAFTSGEFUHL
• a feeling of oneness with humanity
SOCIAL INTEREST
•It manifests itself as cooperation with others for social advancement rather than for personal gain
STYLE OF LIFE
flavor of a person’s life
Established by age 4 or 5.
STYLE OF LIFE
includes person’s goal, self concept, feeling for others, and attitude towards the world
CREATIVE POWER
The people’s creative power places them in control of their own lives, is responsible for their final goal, determines their method of striving for that goal, and contributes to the development of social interest.
• In short, it makes each person a FREE INDIVIDUAL
ABNORMAL DEVELOPMENT
According to Adler, the one factor underlying al types of maladjustments is UNDERDEVELOPED SOCIAL INTEREST
ABNORMAL DEVELOPMENT
Besides lacking social interest, neurotics: set their goals too high, live in their own private world, have a rigid and dogmatic style of life
ABNORMAL DEVELOPMENT
People become failures in life because they are overconcerned with themselves and little care about others
3 FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO ABNORMALITY
1.Exaggerated Physical Deficiency
2. Pampered Style of Life
3. Neglected Style of Life
1.Exaggerated Physical Deficiency
develop exaggerated feelings of inferiority because they overcompensate for their inadequacy. They tend to be overly concerned with themselves and lack consideration for others. They feel as if they are living in enemy country, fear defeat more than they desire success, and are convinced that life’s major problems can be solved only in a selfish manner
Pampered Style of Life
They are characterized by extreme discouragement, indecisiveness, oversensitivity, impatience, and exaggerated emotion, especially anxiety. They see the world with private vision and believe that they are entitled to be first in everything
Neglected Style of Life
Children who feel unloved and unwanted are likely to borrow heavily from these feelings in creating a neglected style of life Abused and mistreated children develop little social interest and tend to create a neglected style of life. They have little confidence in themselves and tend to overestimate difficulties connected with life’s major problems
SAFEGUARDING TENDENCIES
Adler believed that people create patterns of behavior to protect their exaggerated sense of self-esteem against public disgrace.
SAFEGUARDING TENDENCIES
Can be compared to Freud’s DEFENSE MECHANISM
SAFEGUARDING TENDENCIES
1.EXCUSES
2 .AGGRESSION – (Depreciation, Accusation, Self Accusation)
3. WITHDRAWAL - (Moving Backward, Standing Still, Hesitating, Constructing Obstacles)
MASCULINE PROTEST
• In contrast to Freud, Adler believed that the psychic life of women is essentially the same as that of men
•Men and women overemphasize the importance of being manly
APPLICATIONS OF INDIVIDUAL PSYCHOLOGY
FAMILY CONSTELLATION
EARLY RECOLLECTIONS
DREAMS
FAMILY CONSTELLATION
birth order, gender of siblings
EARLY RECOLLECTIONS
Adler believed that recalled memories yield clues for understanding styles of life and final goals
•FIRST BORN
likely to have intensified feelings of power and superiority, high anxiety, and overprotective tendencies : Feelings of dethronement
FIRST BORN
if firstborn children are age 3 or older when a baby brother or sister is born, they incorporate this dethronement into a previously established style of life.
SECOND BORN
extremely ambitious
begin life in a better situation for developing cooperation and social interest. To some extent, the personalities of second born children are shaped by their perception of the older child’s attitude toward them.
YOUNGEST CHILDREN
most pampered ,lacks sense of independence , ambitious, but lazy
YOUNGEST CHILDREN
are often the most pampered and, consequently, run a high risk of being problem children. They are likely to have strong feelings of inferiority and to lack a sense of independence.
ONLY CHILD
often sweet and affectionate
may lack well-developed feelings of cooperation and social interest, possess a parasitic attitude, and expect other people to pamper and protect them
PSYCHOTHERAPY
The chief purpose of Adlerian psychotherapy is to enhance courage, lessen feelings of inferiority, and encourage social interest
CONCEPT OF HUMANITY
Very high on Free choice and optimism
Very low on causality
Moderate on unconscious
High on Social Factors
High on Uniqueness of individuals
Note 
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