Alfred Adler 1870 1937 Overview of Theory All

Alfred Adler 1870 - 1937

Overview of Theory • • All individuals feel inferior – Inferiority complex – Superiority Complex Individuals deal with inferiority through – Compensation: • concentrate on building the weakness • emphasize other functions • Masculine protest

Overview of Theory • • Motivated to strive from a “felt minus”(feeling of inferiority) towards a “felt plus” (feelings of superiority, perfection, and totality) Motivating force behind all behavior is called Striving for Perfection or Superiority – the desire for competence and mastery over ones environment

Overview of Theory • Results in the development of the Fictional Goal (Fictional Finalism) • The imagined goal or desirable future state that motivates and guides us (whether true or not) – Unhealthy are inflexible (“The neurotic is nailed to the cross of his fiction…”) – Healthy people modify (“… The normal individual, too, can and will create his deity …… but will never lose sight of reality …) • Later called this Guiding Self Idea

Overview of Theory • Fictional Goal directs an individuals style of life (lifestyle) – Our unique combination of motives, interests, attitudes and values. – Determines how we will act in any situation. • Helps lead to consistency and uniqueness of personality – Begins as a compensatory process making up for a particular inferiority – Includes individual concepts about self, the world and one’s unique way of striving for goals (unifier of personality)

Overview of Theory Style of Life – Established by age 4 or 5 using the Creative Self • the dynamic force that allows us to use our experiences and heredity to construct our style of life – Can be identified through an individual’s early memories • Doesn’t matter if memories are true or not • Represents individuals first perceptions of self, world, etc

Overview of Theory • Four types of lifestyles – – Ruling type Getting type Avoiding type Socially useful type Mistaken lifestyles (neurotic)

Overview of Theory • Ruling type: – Seeks to dominate others • Directly by bullying, etc • Indirectly by suicide attempts, addictions, etc.

Overview of Theory • Getting type – Dependent – Leans on others for everything – Most common according to Adler

Overview of Theory • Avoiding type – Try to not deal with problems, etc. • Phobias part of this

Overview of Theory • Socially useful type – Innate trait that makes all humans value contributing to society and the common good of others. – The most productive way to compensate for individual feelings of inferiority – The more socially oriented the healthier the individual • Gemeinschaftsgefuhl

Overview of Theory • Factors of maladjustment of neurotics – Underdeveloped social interest – Live in their own private world – Set their goals too high – Have rigid and dogmatic style of life

Overview of Theory • Neuroticism creates need for Safeguarding Strategies (defense mechanisms) – Three types • Excuses or rationalizing strategies – As if excusing them from life due to their illness or symptoms » “Yes, but…” » “If only …. ” – Often experience secondary gain as a result of this

Overview of Theory • Aggressive strategies – Open or disguised hostility toward self or others » Depreciation * devalue others through threats or inflating own value » Accusation * blame others (no personal responsibility) » Self accusation * blame self in such a way that it attracts attention, sympathy, etc. * sometimes induces guilt in others

Overview of Theory • Distancing strategies – Distances themselves from life’s problems – Restricts participation in life – Avoids challenging situations when there is risk of failure

Impact of Family • Family Constellation – Family Roles • Treatment – Pampering – Rejection

Impact of Family • Birth Order (situation into which child is born) – Oldest child • Worst position – Middle child • Second born is most fortunate – Youngest child • Second worst position – Only child