Alfred Adler : Individual Psychology

If the Adlerian therapy is summarized, it can be added here that the therapy is more of a growth plan. One of the main facts that is stressed by the theory is that human beings are in control of their own nature and that there should be a positive view towards the nature. Views that an individual has towards his nature leads him in having a good or bad faith. Being a child, a certain kind of lifestyle is adopted by an individual and this kind of lifestyle goes on in a consistent manner throughout his life (Carlson, Watts, and Maniacci, 2006, p. 45).

The Adlerian Theory focuses on how the person’s perception of the past and his or her interpretation of early events have a continuing influence. Alder believed "that biological and physiological factors provided probabilities for future growth but that, "the self", with creative power as part of its inner nature, is the important intervening variable” (Selgiman & Reichenberg, 2010, p. 63). Behavior is purposeful and goal-directed when using Adlerian theory. Adler’s theory focuses on inferiority feelings, which he sees as a normal condition for all people and as a source of all human striving. Inferiority can be the wellspring of creativity. Alder believes this is what motivates us to strive for mastery, superiority, and completion. From an Adlerian perspective, human behavior is not determined solely by heredity and the environment. Instead, we have the capacity to interpret, influence, and create events. Alder asserts that what we were born with is not as important as what we choose to do with the abilities and limitations we possess.

To begin conceptualizing Antwone’s feelings through an Adlerian lens, a counselor might try to spot inferiority feelings within the client. These feelings are always present and ultimately act as a motivating force behind an individual’s outward behavior. One could argue that Antwone’s inferiorities stem from the abuse he suffered at such a young age, which halted the average development most humans encounter. In order for an individual to overcome these inferiorities, they begin to act in compensative behaviors. Since Antwone’s traumas began in infancy, he never had any kind of stable environment and the one in which he was finally placed (the Tate’s) caused him to quickly feel inferior. Antwone may have ultimately developed an inferiority complex because he was never able to compensate his inferiority feelings as an infant. The inferiority complex that Antwone developed has prevented him from being able to cope with the demands of life –enabling him to use violence as a way to forget.

Following this study Watkins (1992) analyzed the research activity with Adlerian theory appearing in the Journal of Individual Psychology during the years 1982 to 1990. 103 studies appeared during this nine-year period. This was a significant increase over the previous 12 years that he had reported on earlier (Watkins, 1983). Although he did not attempt to evaluate the quality of the studies reported, Watkins (1992) does conclude by stating that the research into Adler's theory is still on the increase and suggests it is a vital theory that lends itself to empirical inquiry. Since 1990, the reported research has continued to grow with the Journal of Individual Psychology publishing additional studies on marriage, children, substance abuse, class room management, behavioral problems in children and youth, and offenders. A number of other professional journals have included research articles on Adlerian theory as well.

A major difference in Adlerian psychology compared to Freudian is the client is viewed as lacking courage, instead of being mentally ill in Freud’s theory. Adler’s belief, that a person’s consciousness is the center of their personality differed from Freud’s belief. (Wood, 2004). Adler agreed with Freud that gratification is a central need but Adler goes on to also imply that clients have needs for power, security, self-esteem, achievement and social welfare. Day (2008) emphasizes that people can decide how to state their needs, but may not be able to be in charge of their needs.

Adlerian theory and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) may be thought to have many similarities. This may be because CBT is rooted in Adlerian theory (Sperry, 2017). This paper discusses Adlerian theory, then Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Both of these sections include the theoretical basis for, and interventions or techniques used, within each approach. Also discussed are key points specific to counseling in schools pertaining to, and skills necessary for counselors utilizing, each approach. This paper then explains the similarities and differences between Adlerian theory and cognitive behavioral therapy.

Alfred Adler believed that humans “are not passive victims of heredity or environment (not objects) but active constructors and interpreters of their situations (subjects) (Stein, 1998).” This means that whatever has happened in the past, and early childhood especially, has greatly impacted the way we conduct our lives as adults. However, it is not what was done to us or not done to us that only effects our lives, but mainly how be interpreted those situations and how we formed our self image around them. It can be said that if a young child continually compared themselves to older children and adults they may develop inferiority feelings, which are guided by fictional beliefs. Adler believed these feelings would force these children to strive toward an unrealistic final goal. “The final goal is a fictional creation of the individual – an imagined ideal situation of perfection, completion, or overcoming. Movement toward the final goal is motivated by a striving to overcome the feelings of inferiority (Stein, 1998).” Yet, Adler believed in an actual and attainable “final goal” that was very similar to Maslow’s theory of “self-actualization [and moving] toward the full realization of [peoples] potential (Maslow, 1970).”

Alfred Adler the founder of Adlerian psychology/psychotherapy believed that it was of the upmost importance to become closely associated with a person’s birth order parents background upbringing and education not to mention their lifestyle. This theory also focusses on a person need to be or feel accepted and to flourish in life. Adler was big on exploring early childhood because he believed that “everyone develops a life by the age 5 or 6.the pan which Adler calls it the lifestyle guides individuals’ enter lives” Murdock, N. L. (2009, pg111). Theories of counseling and psychotherapy: a case approach. Boston: Pearson”.

How to Speak How to Listen by Mortimer Adler discusses the best techniques to use while in an argument. According to Adler, ethos signifies one’s character. Ethos is present when one is trying to have a character that is fitting for the purpose at hand. Ethos includes making yourself attractive to the audience and proving to them that you are credible. An example of having ethos has a lot to do with how I would present myself to the audience. In order for them to believe that I am credible, I must look the part, that includes cleanliness, looking put together, and healthy. If the audience sees that you can take care of yourself, then they have a higher chance of believing that you can take care of them and their situation. Using ethos can also include presenting the audience with a personal story. This will fill them in with background information about myself and let them know how my character played out during whatever situation I spoke about. The situation would have to be similar to the one the audience is facing, in order for them to draw parallels and better understand how I would handle that particular event.

Adlerian Theory, founded by Alfred Adler, is stated as a social psychology. The theory is relatively simple, and it puts the responsibility for behavior and success solely on the person. (Seligman & Reichenberg) Adlerian pays considerable attention to social context, family dynamics, and child rearing. This approach is phenomenological, empowering, and oriented towards both present and future. There were two elements of the Adlerian Theory as to why it was not really accepted: (1) If humans can be simply described and understood, I may not be as

Alfred Adler was the founder of Adlerian Counseling. He was born in 1870 in the country of Austria. who gave his theory the name Individual Psychology, because he wanted people to see that his theory and methods were designed to help clients help themselves. He believed that everyone had and internal need to be a part of society, and a desire to contribute to that society. That everyone strives for perfection, and everyone initially feels inferior to everyone else. He believed that when that feeling is not overcome, inferiority complexes develop, and if a person tries to overcompensate for inferiority, the develop superiority complex.

Adler saw that what is learned in the family, is central to one’s later self-image, relationships, work, marital choices, parenting, moral behavior, and how one pursues one’s goals. Adler felt that there were three basic childhood

In fact, this theory proposes that, “to live is to feel inferior” (Mosak 1995). However, when the individual begins to act inferior rather than feel inferior, the individual is engaging in “discouragement” or the inferiority complex (Mosak 1995). “To oversimplify, the inferiority feeling is universal and ‘normal’; the inferiority complex reflects the discouragement of a limited segment of our society and is usually ‘abnormal’” (Mosak 1995). This theory views the healthy and “ideal” individual as one who engages in life experiences with confidence and optimism. “There is a sense of belonging and contributing, the ‘courage to be imperfect,’ and the serene knowledge that one can be acceptable to others, although imperfect” (Mosak 1995).

In 1902, Alfred Adler was invited by Freud to become his group to discuss new ideas in psychology after seeing him publicly defend some of his own ideas. Adler was an active member as well as vocal using this group as a forum to develop and debate his emerging ideas of the human condition (Fall, Holden, & Marquis, 2004). Five years later, he developed his first theoretical work entitled, Organic Inferiority and Its Psychical Compensation. In the following years, Adler became the president of the International Psycho-analytic Society and began to openly disagree with Freud’s perspectives of

Adlerian theory, also referred to as individual psychology, stresses the need to understand individuals within their social context (Mosak & Maniacci, 2014). Interestingly, Alfred Adler gave his theoretical framework the name, Individual Psychology, which derives from the Latin term individuum. The meaning of individuum translates to “indivisible” and represents the holistic foundation of Adlerian theory (Mosak & Maniacci, 2014). Adlerians assume that every behavior has a purpose, causing them to focus on clients’ “style of life”, or consistent themes that occur throughout their life. Mosak and Maniacci (2014) describe Adler’s “style of life” as, “bias apperceptions about self, others, and the world from a self-consistent cognitive and attitudinal set which organizes and directs movement toward the goal” (p. 12). Accordingly, Adlerian concepts revolve around achieving the main tasks of life through cooperation rather than competition, in work, friendship, love, self-task, and spiritual task (Mosak & Maniacci, 2014). Furthermore, this theory focuses on influences that might encourage the development of exaggerated inferiority, and how these feelings can push people to better themselves in guiding the self-ideal and altering the way they strive toward success, such as through choices and level of responsibility.