Alfred Adler

Alfred Adler1870 - 1937

Alfred AdlerBorn in Vienna in 1870Rickets prevented him from walking until age 4Sickly as a child Was his mothers favorite until age 2 when dethroned by another babyCould not compete with older brother (who happened to be named Sigmund)

Alfred AdlerPoor student when youngerSeveral experiences w/ deathPnemoniaHit twice by carsYounger brotherCemetery story

Alfred AdlerOvercame earlier problems to become a good student and athleteReceived medical degree in 1895 from University of VienneBecame physician to fight deathParticularly interested in childrens issues Married in 1897, four children

Alfred AdlerMoved into psychiatry and joined Freuds discussion group by invitation in 1907Broke with Freud in 1911Served as physician in the Austrian army in WWIMoved to US in 1934Died in 1937

Overview of TheoryAll individuals feel inferiorInferiority complexSuperiority ComplexIndividuals deal with inferiority throughCompensation:concentrate on building the weaknessemphasize 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 Superioritythe desire for competence and mastery over ones environment

Overview of TheoryResults 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 TheoryFictional 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 personalityBegins as a compensatory process making up for a particular inferiorityIncludes individual concepts about self, the world and ones unique way of striving for goals (unifier of personality)

Overview of TheoryStyle of LifeEstablished by age 4 or 5 using the Creative Selfthe dynamic force that allows us to use our experiences and heredity to construct our style of lifeCan be identified through an individuals early memoriesDoesnt matter if memories are true or notRepresents individuals first perceptions of self, world, etc

Overview of TheoryFour types of lifestylesRuling typeGetting typeAvoiding typeSocially useful typeMistaken lifestyles (neurotic)

Overview of TheoryRuling type:Seeks to dominate othersDirectly by bullying, etcIndirectly by suicide attempts, addictions, etc.

Overview of TheoryGetting typeDependent Leans on others for everythingMost common according to Adler

Overview of TheoryAvoiding typeTry to not deal with problems, etc.Phobias part of this

Overview of TheorySocially useful typeInnate 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 inferiorityThe more socially oriented the healthier the individualGemeinschaftsgefuhl

Overview of TheoryFactors of maladjustment of neuroticsUnderdeveloped social interestLive in their own private worldSet their goals too highHave rigid and dogmatic style of life

Overview of TheoryNeuroticism creates need for Safeguarding Strategies (defense mechanisms)Three typesExcuses or rationalizing strategiesAs if excusing them from life due to their illness or symptomsYes, butIf only .Often experience secondary gain as a result of this

Overview of TheoryAggressive strategiesOpen or disguised hostility toward self or othersDepreciation* devalue others through threats or inflating own valueAccusation* 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 TheoryDistancing strategiesDistances themselves from lifes problemsRestricts participation in lifeAvoids challenging situations when there is risk of failure

Impact of FamilyFamily ConstellationFamily RolesTreatmentPampering Rejection

Impact of FamilyBirth Order (situation into which child is born)Oldest childWorst positionMiddle child Second born is most fortunateYoungest childSecond worst positionOnly child

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