Adlerian Psychotherapy - PSYC 485 [Intro to Counseling]

Alfred Adler (1870-1937)

Austrian psychologist, contemporary of Sigmund Freud; Goals over drives - theory emphasized social context, community, & purpose

Adlerian Therapy

• Psychodynamic Therapy

• Goal-oriented

• Short-term

• Self-psychology

Adler’s View of Human Behavior

• Goal-directed movement

• Unity of personality

• Behavior purposeful (teleological)

Community Feeling & Social Interest

• Fundamental human need for belonging, connectedness, and meaningful contribution to others

• Critical for sense of wellbeing and development

• Empathy is core

• Lack of social connection leads to inferiority/distress

Adler: Private Logic

• Personal Justifications

  • Guide an individual’s behavior and decision-making

• Ways this Influences Behavior

  • Self-defeating Patterns: unhelpful behaviors loosely maintaining a precarious sense of self-esteem

• Social Interest

  • Individuals may retreat from meaningful

Inferiority

a natural part of human experience and can serve as a motivator for personal growth and development

Inferiority Complex

when feelings of inferiority become overwhelming, leading to discouragement, withdrawal from others, and attempts to overcompensate

Superiority Striving

striving for superiority in a healthy was can lead to mastery of skills and meaningful contributions to society

Dysfunction when superiority = dominance

When the pursuit of superiority becomes about dominance over others

Adlerian Life Tasks

• Work Task (Occupation)

• Love Task (Intimacy)

• Social Task (Friendship/Community)

Influences on Individual Development

• Family constellation and family values

• Family atmosphere

• Gender guiding lines and gender identities

  • Parental influence creating norms for masculinity and femininity

  • Social Context

  • Unexamined attitudes