Alfred Adler: Individual
Psychology
Individual Psychology
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Focuses on uniqueness of each
person
Denies universal biological drives
and goals
Feelings of Inferiority
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Always present as motivating force
in behavior
Source of all human striving
Growth results from compensation:
attempts to overcome inferior
feelings
Inferiority Complex
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Inability to overcome inferiority
feelings: helpless, poor self-opinion
3 Sources:
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Organic: Physical deficits
Spoiling: Immediate gratification, little
regard for needs of others
Neglect: Lack love, security, develop
feelings of worthlessness
Superiority Complex
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Overcompensate for feelings of
inferiority
Exaggerated opinion of one’s
abilities and accomplishments
Striving for Superiority
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Ultimate goal of life
Drive to perfection
Not an attempt to be better than
others
Fictional finalism: Reach goals set in
the future to be complete, whole
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Potential goals guide behavior
Style of Life
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Expression of striving for superiority
to attain goals
Learned from early social
interactions
Guiding framework for all later
behaviors
Creative Power of the Self
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Ability to create an appropriate style
of life
We create ourselves, personality
and character
Reactions and interpretations of
experience more important than
actual experience
Universal Problems and Styles of Life
for Dealing with Problems
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Problems:
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Involving behavior toward others
Occupational
Relationships/Love
Styles of Life: Specific Types
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Dominant: Little social awareness
Getting: Expects to receive satisfaction from
others, becomes dependent
Avoiding: Avoids life’s problems
Socially useful: Cooperates with others, shows
social interest
Social Interest
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Innate potential to cooperate with
others to reach personal and
societal goals
Individual must cooperate with and
contribute to society to achieve
goals
Birth Order
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Major social influence in childhood
First born: Oriented to past, role of
leader, organized, scrupulous
Second born: Optimistic,
competitive, ambitious
Youngest: High achievers or
helpless and dependent
Only child: Difficulty when not
center of attention, mature early
Assessment: Early Recollections and
Dream Analysis
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Early Recollections:
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Personality created in first 4-5 years
Earliest memories: reveal primary interest in
life
Ex: 1st school memory: Attitudes toward
achievement, mastery and independence
Dream Analysis:
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Reveal feelings about current problem and
intended solution
Oriented to present and future, not past
Ex: School exams: Unprepared in situations
Research in Adler’s Theory
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Dreams: Support for solving current
problems
Early Recollections: Early memories
may be associated with later
problems
Ex: Criminals
Neglected children: Later showed
more depression (inferiority)
Research in Adler’s Theory Continued
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Social Interest: Higher social
interest=less depression and stress,
higher empathy and popularity
Birth Order:
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1st born: Overrepresented in achievementoriented positions
2nd born: No support for competitive,
ambitious nature
Last born: More likely to become alcoholics
than 1st born (pampered excessively)
Only: Adjustment, initiative comparable to
groups with siblings