Alfred Adler
Alfred AdlerWho is alfred adler?!Born on February 7, 1870At 5,
Alfred almost died of pneumonia which is what led him to being a
physicianHe was an average student and was also very outgoing,
popular and activeHe began his career as an ophthalmologist, but
soon he switched to general practiceHis office was in a lower class
part of Vienna, which was a combination of an amusement park and
circusHis clients included circus people and their unusual
strengths and weaknesses led to his insights into organ
inferiorities and compensation
Organ inferiority and compensationSome organs may be more
stronger than others. These biological imperfection cause problems
in the persons life because of the stress put on them by the
environment.However, some can be overdeveloped to compensate
psychologically the real problem by developing certain personality
styles or skills.
eXAMPLEEx). Someone that is extremely insecure about their
height may invest all of their energy in working out to compensate
for their inferiority.
Feelings of inferiorityThis is not a biological inferiority, but
psychological. Adler pointed out that all humans start life with
feelings of inferiority because we are completely dependent on
adults for survival. Every person has feelings of weakness
(femininity) femnint and an impulse to become strong (masculinity).
When a person become more powerful meant to become more masculinity
and as result less feminine. Femnin Therefore, men and women seek
to become powerful enough to overcome inferiority
feelings.Masculine ProtestAdler noted that boys were held in higher
esteem than girls Boys wanted desperately to be thought of as
strong, aggressive, in control ie. Masculine (does this point sound
familiar class!) The idea of weakness and dependency is seen
feminine
Masculine protest cntdEx). If a boy fusses or demands to have
his own way (masculine protest) they say it is natural. If a girl
is quiet and shy, she is praised for her femininity. However if a
boy is quiet and shy, they worry he may grow up to be a sissy and
if a girl is assertive, they call her a tomboy and hope she grows
out of it.Adler asserted that men are no more successful or
powerful because they are men but because they are encouraged to be
assertive. Both genders begin life with a capacity to protest, what
they protest though is largely shaped by what we expect them to
be.
Feelings of inferiority as Motivational
The feelings of inferiority are the primary motivating force
behind all personal accomplishments. However, even though feelings
of inferiority act as a stimulus for all positive achievement, they
can also create neurosis. This is when a person is overwhelmed by
feelings of inferiority. At which point he or she is prevented from
accomplishing anything. Such a person is said to have an
inferiority complex.Inferiority ComplexDepending on whatever
complex you may have (you may have more than one), you will develop
an inferiority complexA person with inferiority complex tends to be
vain and arrogant with others.
Striving for superiorityAdler said that this theory is the
fundamental fact of life, which is superiority and perfection.Is
the use of effort to obtain superiority over others.This motivates
a person to do everything perfect and complete so he may get
superiority over others.The first principal of Adlerian theory is:
The one dynamic force behind peoples behavior is the striving for
success or superiority.
Striving for superiorityTherefore, Adler reduced all motivation
to a single drive it is the striving for success or superiority.It
is the desire to fulfill our potentials and to come closer and
closer to our idealAdler later asserted that striving for
superiority can be unhealthy or neurotic
sourceshttp://www.muskingum.edu/~psych/psycweb/history/adler.htmhttp://www.alfredadler.edu/about/theoryAn
introduction to theories of personality by Matthew H.
Olsonhttp://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/adler.html
