Who is Alfred Adler? - A young Viennese physician who developed the theory of INDIVIDUAL
PSYCHOLOGY.
Individual Psychology – the theory which is based on the idea that throughout life individuals
strive for a sense of mastery, completeness, and belonging and are governed by a conscious
drive to overcome their sense of inferiority by developing to their fullest potential, obtaining
their life goals, and creating their own styles of life. This theory has received criticism for being
unscientific and difficult to prove empirically.
It studies how from the beginning of life; we feel a sense of inferiority. This isn’t always a
negative trait, as it prompts the child to develop. We attempt to fix this feeling by
compensating – developing other skills and strengths. A baby, according to Adler, naturally feels
inferior and inadequate, and through compensation, will develop normally.
Overcompensation – when the child’s feelings of inferiority become too intense, and
compensation becomes the main goal/fixation. An example would be the Greek figure
Demosthenes, who had a terrible stutter. Through overcompensation, he overcompensated by
not just fixing his stutter, but by taking up a profession that would normally be impossible for a
stutterer.
Inferiority Complex – when a person is always trying to find a situation, they excel in. Overall
lack of self-esteem.
Superiority Complex – the opposite of an inferiority complex. You have “something to prove”.
Typically born out of an inferiority complex.
Styles of Life – in place of personality types, styles of life are patterns that often formed in
childhood and could be useful in treating patients who fit into them. An example of this would be
birth order.
First child – This child is typically seen as the parents’ strength, the eldest. They inherently have
an advantage.
Second child – Constantly live in the shadow of the first born, typically striving for superiority.
Youngest child – Inherently has an inferiority complex.
Adler Psychotherapy is composed of six stages, aiming to reduce the inferiority complex, reduce
or banish the superiority complex, and promote feelings of community and equality.
Stage 1 establishes a relationship with the client
Stage 2 assesses the client to see if they hold a complex or feelings of inferiority/superiority.
Stage 3 is to encourage the client and clarify their feelings
Stage 4 “interprets” the client, by analyzing their behaviors and attempting to see the meaning
behind them.
Stage 5 redirects the clients’ life towards their goals and overall satisfaction
Stage 6 is meta-therapy, where the client may seek further personal development.