The Theory Of The Adlerian Theory Essay

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.

Corey, 2017). He also states that the study of clinical populations is extremely limited and "there is a definite need for further Adlerian-oriented research on inpatients and outpatients alike" (Corey, 2017).

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.

Bang! You door just got broken down by German officers. They yell at you and treat you with disrespect. They accuse you as a Jew and take you to a concentration camp. Well that's what it was like during the Holocaust. Hearing things about the bloodshed history makes you not wanna be alive during that time period, but a boy named Zigmond had to deal with the compelling plans of Hitler.

Adlerian psychotherapists often ask their clients about early recollections. What are the assumptions of this technique and how does it facilitate the therapeutic process?

The role of a group leader using Adlerian theory or reality theory have several commonalities between them. It is suggested that group leaders use humor and model appropriate behavior for their group members as well as encouraging confrontation as a means for personal growth (Gladding, 2016, pp. 333-334, 338). Additionally, both theories recommend group leaders having a high level of differentiation of self (pp. 334, 338). In Adlerian theory “the insight phase involves helping individuals understand why they made the choices they did in the past” (p. 338); whereas, in reality theory leaders “must assist group members in understanding the scope of the group process and the need to apply what they have learned in the group to their own daily lives” (p. 334). Furthermore, “effective [Adlerian] leaders use group dynamics to help groups help themselves” (p. 338) while reality theory stresses “fostering the process of self-evaluation in their group members” (p. 334).

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.

Most of society thinks that a mentally healthy person is a person with a sound sense of self and someone who functions on a daily basis within the community without problems of any signs of a mental illness. For Adler, psychological health is determined by the level of social contribution beneficial to the greater community, to the degree, that one integrates and furthers the social context, thus the measurement of his or her mental health. Named after Alfred Adler, Adlerian theory primarily emphasizes concepts pertaining to inferiority and superiority, styles of life, family constellation and birth order, and

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.

This approach to therapy utilizes the framework of Individual Psychology, which ascertains that people should be understood holistically and human behavior is purposeful. Adlerian

Adlerian therapy can be a useful approach in the case of Stan to help his address the many issues that he faces in his life. This therapy focuses on helping Stan, to achieve success in life by examining feelings of inferiority that result in negative behaviors, but in the right setting can help motivate him to strive for greater success. Adlerian therapy will help Stan focus on the development of his individual personality and the relation to understanding and accepting of the interconnectedness of all human beings.

This theory uses subjectivity for understanding the person. In order to understand the individual, we must understand his or her cognitions. Harold Mosak (1995) identifies five underlying assumptions to the Adlerian theory. He states, “a) the individual is unique, b) the individual is self-consistent, c) the individual is responsible, d) the person is creative, an actor, a chooser, and e) people in a soft-deterministic way can direct their own behavior and control their destinies” (Mosak, 1995, p.87). According to Adlerian theory, people strive to attain goals that provide them with a place in this world, in turn giving them security and enhancing self- esteem.

This case study illustrates Ruth being the client. This provides background information about Ruth includes the presenting problem, the history of presenting problem and the psychosocial history. The key concepts, the therapeutic process, the therapeutic relationship, therapist function and roll comes from the three theories Gestalt, Existential and Adlerian. The case identifies and describe goals that would be established for Ruth using all three theories. This case study applies detailed techniques from Gestalt and Adlerian also providing specific examples of Ruth participating in the different techniques. Such as advice, catching oneself, lifestyle assessment, encouraging, task setting and commitment, future projection, empty chair and

Adlerians believe that striving for superiority characterizes the final goal of every individual. Superiority, in Adlerian terms, means that there are various ways to strive for and find significance in one’s place in the community by creating personal strategies for achieving superiority (Fall, Holden, & Marquis, 2004). This became a major innovation of Adler using self-created goals as a source of motivation and dynamic functionalism. His emphasis on subjective future orientation as a guiding principle for psychic phenomena became a major innovation in conceptualizing human thinking, feeling, and action.

The Adlerian therapy is a basic goal to help clients identify and change their beliefs about self, others, life and to participate in the social world. This counseling session will be approached by using the Adlerian perspective, to proceed with helping Javier’s and Alice’s family issues. The responsibility of being Javier’s and Alice’s counselor is coming to a solution how they could understand each other morals. During the counseling session, I would apply the lifestyle questionnaire to get a better understanding of each individual point of view in their marriage. However, I would question each individual at different duration of time. Then bring the two together to discuss their differences about each question I provide them with. To emphasize with this questionnaire, it could amplify with advantages and disadvantages with Javier and Alice’s marriage. The advantage with this procedure is Javier and Alice could benefit from this exercise, in a way of helping their marriage and family. The disadvantage of this procedure is when Javier and Alice hear each other, answers about the questionnaire that was provided to them. However, this could raise other issues within the marriage.