Principles Therapeutic Individual Psychology - Adler Personality Personality can only be understood holistically- within a context of the person and their environment.

Principles Therapeutic Individual Psychology - Adler Environmental Factors Family atmosphere Interactions of family members, roles, etc Family constellation An individual’s personality is shaped by how they interpret their position in the family dynamic Parenting style authoritarian, democratic Social interest identification & empathy with others

Principles Therapeutic Individual Psychology - Adler Personality cont. Man is born helpless into this world. This feeling of helplessness is reflective of a sense of inferiority. Development is based on the processes of striving for superiority and coping with inferiority by seeking mastery. Developmental tasks focus on the child’s attempt to master their environment and develop mutual independence (Individual Psychology) and social affiliation Independence and mastery are developed through lifestyle and social interest

Principles Therapeutic Individual Psychology - Adler Human personality is unified through the development of a life goal Lifestyle The characteristic way in which we move toward our life goal No two people strive for superiority in the same way - Some people develop artistic talent, athletic, intellectual, etc.

Principles Therapeutic Individual Psychology - Adler Elements of Lifestyle 1. Early Childhood recollections 2. Family Constellation - Birth Order 3. Personal Priorities - dominant behaviour pattern 4. Value and Belief Systems

Principles Therapeutic Individual Psychology - Adler Positive Operation of the Personality The moment we experience inferiority the striving for superiority drives us. The extent to which the individual can develop social interest and mutual independence their feelings inferiority are reduced.

Principles Therapeutic Individual Psychology - Adler Dysfunctional Operation of the Personality Disturbed children are pursing one of four mistaken goals Attention – attention seeking Power – exaggerated need to exercise power and superiority Revenge – feel hurt and victimized – goal to get even Inadequacy or withdrawal – inferiority complex

Principles Therapeutic Individual Psychology - Adler Dysfunctional Personality Operation In attempting to develop social interest and mutual independence people often make mistakes in judgment and value 1. Overgeneralization - “students are like that 2. False or impossible goals 3. Misperceptions of life and life’s demands 4. Denial of one’s basic worth 5. Faulty values

Principles Therapeutic Individual Psychology - Adler Motivation Behaviour is directed at striving for perfection and coping with inferiority by striving for mastery, success and completion through life goals and social interest A person’s behaviour is guided by “fictional finalism” which refers to the imagined central goal that guides our behaviour and gives unity to the personality Example – perfectionist, born leader,

Principles Therapeutic Individual Psychology - Adler Behavioural Change Clients need to identify and change their mistaken beliefs about themselves others and life Therapeutic Process The therapeutic process includes forming a relationship with the client based on mutual respect and identifying, exploring and disclosing mistaken goals and faulty assumptions within the person’s life style

Principles Therapeutic Individual Psychology - Adler Therapeutic Goals 1. Foster social interest 2. Help clients overcome feelings of discouragement & inferiority 3. Modify mistaken goals and faulty assumptions 4. Change faulty motivation 5. Assist clients to feel a sense of equality with others 6. Help clients to become a contributing member of society

Principles Therapeutic Individual Psychology - Adler Therapeutic Techniques Encouragement – encouragement is key to developing positive expectations Natural & Logical Consequences Natural – consequences that are a direct result of a person’s behaviour “if you’re late coming for snack there is none left” Logical Consequence - are established through rules and family policy- they represent fair, direct, consistent and logical results of the child’s behaviour.

Principles Therapeutic Individual Psychology - Adler Punishment – an illogical consequence to a irresponsible behaviour Usually only represents issues of power and control

Principles Therapeutic Individual Psychology - Adler Behaviour Management Techniques Choose techniques that assist the child to deal with feelings of inferiority and set realistic goals Restructuring Regrouping Interest boosting Hurdle help Logical consequences

Principles Therapeutic Individual Psychology - Adler Programming Choose programming goals that assist the child to deal with feelings of inferiority and provide encouragement Program for strengthening social skills Counselling Counselling goals are the same as the actual therapeutic goals and techniques