1. Chapter 12 Alfred Adler and Individual Psychology

2. Introduction Biography Biography 1870 – 1937 1870 – 1937 Medical history Medical history Developed rickets (abnormal bone formation)—kept him from walking until age 4 Developed rickets (abnormal bone formation)—kept him from walking until age 4 Age 5—nearly died from pneumonia (decided to become doctor) Age 5—nearly died from pneumonia (decided to become doctor) Became doctor – influence on his theories (organ inferiorities) Became doctor – influence on his theories (organ inferiorities) Became psychoanalyst and worked with Freud Became psychoanalyst and worked with Freud Broke from Freudian theory in 1911 Broke from Freudian theory in 1911 Developed theory that became known as Individual Psychology Developed theory that became known as Individual Psychology

3. Introduction Differences from Freudian theory Differences from Freudian theory Motivation Motivation Freud  Inborn biological instincts Freud  Inborn biological instincts Adler  Inborn societal interests Adler  Inborn societal interests Center of personality Center of personality Freud  unconscious and id Freud  unconscious and id Adler  conscious and ego Adler  conscious and ego Concept of ego Concept of ego Freud  weak servant of id Freud  weak servant of id Adler  strong and creative Adler  strong and creative Causation Causation Freud  mechanistic – behavior pushed from behind (past) Freud  mechanistic – behavior pushed from behind (past) Adler  teleological – behavior pulled from future Adler  teleological – behavior pulled from future

4. View of Human Nature (new subtopic) Positive Positive Saw people as creative and capable of change and growth Saw people as creative and capable of change and growth What is important is what people do with what they have/get (influence of his bio) What is important is what people do with what they have/get (influence of his bio) Person’s perception of reality important – it is their reality – based on Person’s perception of reality important – it is their reality – based on Past experiences Past experiences Meaning given to those experiences Meaning given to those experiences

5. Inferiority Feelings (new subtopic) Influences on this idea Influences on this idea Disease results from or occurs in inferior organs Disease results from or occurs in inferior organs CNS tries to compensate CNS tries to compensate Takes energy from other organs Takes energy from other organs Shares tasks Shares tasks Other organs develop more Other organs develop more Thought we go out of our way to compensate Thought we go out of our way to compensate

6. Inferiority Feelings (cont’d) Child is inferior in face of the world Child is inferior in face of the world “At the beginning of every psychological life there is a more or less deep inferiority feeling.” “At the beginning of every psychological life there is a more or less deep inferiority feeling.” Inferiority feelings are universal and innate Inferiority feelings are universal and innate Part of human condition Part of human condition When he looked at childhood games  often saw attempts to be in charge/have power When he looked at childhood games  often saw attempts to be in charge/have power

7. Inferiority Feelings (cont’d) Degree of inferiority feelings depends on interpretation of child Degree of inferiority feelings depends on interpretation of child Does child see it as insurmountable or as challenge? Does child see it as insurmountable or as challenge? Feelings of inferiority = cause for improvement in mankind Feelings of inferiority = cause for improvement in mankind Can become extreme  Inferiority complex = exaggerated feelings of weakness incl. belief that one cannot overcome them (what you see  shy, timid, insecure, indecisive) Can become extreme  Inferiority complex = exaggerated feelings of weakness incl. belief that one cannot overcome them (what you see  shy, timid, insecure, indecisive)

8. Striving for Superiority and Compensation (new subtopic) Review of theory Review of theory Born with feelings of inferiority Born with feelings of inferiority Must do something Must do something Inferiority feelings lead to desire to overcome them to develop and reach potential Inferiority feelings lead to desire to overcome them to develop and reach potential Striving for superiority: attempting to attain greater degree of competence, mastery, and perfection Striving for superiority: attempting to attain greater degree of competence, mastery, and perfection Not over others Not over others Superiority over feelings of inferiority Superiority over feelings of inferiority

9. Striving for Superiority and Compensation (cont’d) Initiates compensation = process of overcoming feelings of inferiority Initiates compensation = process of overcoming feelings of inferiority Positive compensation = healthy and within social context Positive compensation = healthy and within social context Overcompensation = carried to extreme and is unproductive for ind and/or society Overcompensation = carried to extreme and is unproductive for ind and/or society Superiority complex = false feeling of power and security that hides overwhelming feelings of inferiority Superiority complex = false feeling of power and security that hides overwhelming feelings of inferiority What you see  attention-getting beh, attempts to make self important by making others feel small, etc. What you see  attention-getting beh, attempts to make self important by making others feel small, etc.

10. Fictional Finalism (new subtopic) Review of theory Review of theory Inferiority feelings  Striving for superiority (Desire to overcome them) Inferiority feelings  Striving for superiority (Desire to overcome them) Need way to overcome them – goal Need way to overcome them – goal All behavior has purpose All behavior has purpose Always look for goal of behavior—why we do what we do Always look for goal of behavior—why we do what we do Purpose of behavior gives direction and meaning Purpose of behavior gives direction and meaning

11. Fictional Finalism (cont’d) Influence of Hans Vaihinger’s philosophy of “As If” Influence of Hans Vaihinger’s philosophy of “As If” Ultimate truths lie beyond our comprehension and ability to verify Ultimate truths lie beyond our comprehension and ability to verify We create partial truths (constructs or schemas) We create partial truths (constructs or schemas) We act AS IF these are true – we will never know for sure We act AS IF these are true – we will never know for sure Example – live as if there is heaven/hell Example – live as if there is heaven/hell Called them fictions Called them fictions

12. Fictional Finalism (cont’d) Fictional finalism: central goal in life that guides ind; way ind believes that he can obtain security, superiority, and belonging Fictional finalism: central goal in life that guides ind; way ind believes that he can obtain security, superiority, and belonging Image of what we need to become in order to feel safe, superior, and sense of belonging Image of what we need to become in order to feel safe, superior, and sense of belonging Imagined ideal situation of perfection, completion and belonging Imagined ideal situation of perfection, completion and belonging Teleological focus  behavior is pulled toward this goal Teleological focus  behavior is pulled toward this goal Goal is subjectively conceived with aim of achieving sense of security, superiority, and belonging Goal is subjectively conceived with aim of achieving sense of security, superiority, and belonging Problems result from fear of not belonging (we are social beings) Problems result from fear of not belonging (we are social beings)

13. Fictional Finalism (cont’d) Fictional finalism serves two functions Fictional finalism serves two functions Intiates compensation – gets us moving by creating goal/destination Intiates compensation – gets us moving by creating goal/destination Creates positive feelings in present – hope Creates positive feelings in present – hope

14. Style of Life (new subtopic) Review of theory Review of theory Feelings of inferiority lead to desire to overcome them (striving for superiority) Feelings of inferiority lead to desire to overcome them (striving for superiority) This striving for superiority needs direction, goal This striving for superiority needs direction, goal Goal comes in form of fictional finalism Goal comes in form of fictional finalism Now, we need to develop plan of how to reach goal Now, we need to develop plan of how to reach goal Plan = style of life Plan = style of life

15. Style of Life (cont’d) Style of life = ind’s basic orientation to life and themes that characterize ind’s exp. Style of life = ind’s basic orientation to life and themes that characterize ind’s exp. How you live life, handle problems and interpersonal rel’s How you live life, handle problems and interpersonal rel’s Our individualized approach to experience Our individualized approach to experience Includes how we perceive/give meaning to our exp’s Includes how we perceive/give meaning to our exp’s Results from our attempt to cope with real or imagined difficulties (feelings of inferiority) Results from our attempt to cope with real or imagined difficulties (feelings of inferiority) Our plan—our roadmap to reaching the goal of fictional finalism Our plan—our roadmap to reaching the goal of fictional finalism

16. Style of Life (cont’d) Explains how and why our beh fits together Explains how and why our beh fits together Consists of view of self and world as well as ind’s habits and behaviors Consists of view of self and world as well as ind’s habits and behaviors Influences (will cover more) Influences (will cover more) Early experiences Early experiences Private logic Private logic Family constellation Family constellation Family atmosphere Family atmosphere Birth order Birth order

17. Style of Life—Influences (cont’d) Early experiences Early experiences What happened in early life – how did parents treat you What happened in early life – how did parents treat you Significant events and how we respond Significant events and how we respond Childhood disease  ind may feel overburdened and remain focused on self (Adler stressed importance of humans as social beings) Childhood disease  ind may feel overburdened and remain focused on self (Adler stressed importance of humans as social beings) Pampering  may learn to take w/o giving, but does not learn to do for self Pampering  may learn to take w/o giving, but does not learn to do for self Neglect  learn inferiority b/c told and shown they have no value Neglect  learn inferiority b/c told and shown they have no value

18. Style of Life—Influences (cont’d) Private logic: personal truths—ideas we have about self, others, and life—that make up philosophy of life Private logic: personal truths—ideas we have about self, others, and life—that make up philosophy of life Self-talk – what we believe about others and how we may belong Self-talk – what we believe about others and how we may belong Mistaken beliefs = faulty private logic Mistaken beliefs = faulty private logic Attention  I belong only when I am noticed. Attention  I belong only when I am noticed. Power  I belong only when I am in control. Power  I belong only when I am in control. Revenge  I belong only when I hurt others. Revenge  I belong only when I hurt others. Display of inadequacy  I belong only by appearing inadequate or helpless. Display of inadequacy  I belong only by appearing inadequate or helpless.

19. Style of Life—Influences (cont’d) Family constellation: how close or distant family is in terms of relationships Family constellation: how close or distant family is in terms of relationships Quality of relationships in family Quality of relationships in family Close or distant – both can be problematic Close or distant – both can be problematic Family atmosphere Family atmosphere Attitudes/beliefs of family Attitudes/beliefs of family “Private logic” of family “Private logic” of family

20. Style of Life—Influences (cont’d) Birth order Birth order Influence of ordinal position (e.g., first, second, third, etc.) of birth Influence of ordinal position (e.g., first, second, third, etc.) of birth Also influenced by gender, years between siblings, events, disabilities, etc. Also influenced by gender, years between siblings, events, disabilities, etc. Examples… Examples…

21. Style of Life—Influences (cont’d) Birth order (cont’d) Birth order (cont’d) What position does the 17-year-old male have? What position does the 17-year-old male have? What about the 15-year-old female? What about the 15-year-old female? What position does the 13-year-old female have? What position does the 13-year-old female have? If the 15-year-old female is severely developmentally delayed, what position might the 13-year-old female have? If the 15-year-old female is severely developmentally delayed, what position might the 13-year-old female have? 1817151413

22. Style of Life—Influences (cont’d) Birth order (cont’d) Birth order (cont’d) What position does the 15-year-old female have? What position does the 15-year-old female have? What position does the 14-year-old male have? What position does the 14-year-old male have? 2725151413

23. Style of Life—Influences (cont’d) Birth order (cont’d) Birth order (cont’d) What position does the 14-year-old male have? What position does the 14-year-old male have? What position does the 13-year-old female have? What position does the 13-year-old female have? 1817151413

24. Social Interest (new subtopic) Social interest: willingness to cooperate with others for common good and awareness of universal connection among all humans— feeling of community (German = “Gemeinschaftsgefuhl”) Social interest: willingness to cooperate with others for common good and awareness of universal connection among all humans— feeling of community (German = “Gemeinschaftsgefuhl”) Innate sense of kinship with all humanity Innate sense of kinship with all humanity But also must be nurtured, supported, and encouraged by parents and society to develop But also must be nurtured, supported, and encouraged by parents and society to develop Saw man as social being Saw man as social being Broader sense of caring for community, humanity Broader sense of caring for community, humanity

25. Social Interest (cont’d) As social interest develops, feelings of inferiority decrease As social interest develops, feelings of inferiority decrease Influence of others on our development Influence of others on our development If social interest developed, we see… If social interest developed, we see… On affective (emotion) level On affective (emotion) level Feeling of belonging Feeling of belonging Able to empathize with fellow man Able to empathize with fellow man On cognitive level On cognitive level Recognition of interdependence Recognition of interdependence No man is island—can’t do it alone No man is island—can’t do it alone On behavioral level On behavioral level Cooperation and helping others Cooperation and helping others

26. View of Pathology (new subtopic) Problems exist when… Problems exist when… Feelings of inferiority are exaggerated Feelings of inferiority are exaggerated Social interest not developed Social interest not developed “Discouraged” = term used to refer to when problems have developed “Discouraged” = term used to refer to when problems have developed Ind feels discouraged => he resorts to ways to relieve or mask feelings Ind feels discouraged => he resorts to ways to relieve or mask feelings He avoids confronting difficulties He avoids confronting difficulties May believe only one way to solve problems May believe only one way to solve problems

27. View of Pathology (cont’d) Inferiority feelings may become so overwhelming and sense of belonging so underdeveloped Inferiority feelings may become so overwhelming and sense of belonging so underdeveloped They retreat to protect their fragile but inflated sense of self by using safe-guarding devices They retreat to protect their fragile but inflated sense of self by using safe-guarding devices Attempt to excuse self from failures by depreciating others Attempt to excuse self from failures by depreciating others Distance self from others by accusations, guilt, etc. Distance self from others by accusations, guilt, etc. Develop symptoms that help them avoid connections with others Develop symptoms that help them avoid connections with others

28. View of Pathology (cont’d) Problems—Psychological Types Problems—Psychological Types All neurosis (problems) = matter of insufficient social interest, but also influenced by level of energy All neurosis (problems) = matter of insufficient social interest, but also influenced by level of energy Types Types Ruling type: Ruling type: High activity + low social interest High activity + low social interest Energetic and aggressive in pursuing own goals Energetic and aggressive in pursuing own goals Can be exploitative and manipulative Can be exploitative and manipulative Tend to push over others Tend to push over others

29. View of Pathology (cont’d) Psychological Types (cont’d) Psychological Types (cont’d) Types Types Leaning Type: Leaning Type: Low energy/activity level + High social interest Low energy/activity level + High social interest Sensitive inds who rely on others to help them through life’s difficulties Sensitive inds who rely on others to help them through life’s difficulties Low energy levels => become dependent Low energy levels => become dependent When overwhelmed, develop obsessions, phobias, anxiety, etc. When overwhelmed, develop obsessions, phobias, anxiety, etc.

30. View of Pathology (cont’d) Psychological Types (cont’d) Psychological Types (cont’d) Types Types Avoiding Type Avoiding Type Low energy/activity level + low social interest Low energy/activity level + low social interest Survive life by avoiding it Survive life by avoiding it Tend to be stubborn, lazy, passive-aggressive Tend to be stubborn, lazy, passive-aggressive Socially Useful Type Socially Useful Type High energy/activity level + high social interest High energy/activity level + high social interest The healthy one The healthy one Copes with problems Copes with problems Orients toward life in successful ways Orients toward life in successful ways

31. View of Pathology (cont’d) Therapy Therapy Remember, considered those with problems to be “discouraged”  therefore, must encourage them Remember, considered those with problems to be “discouraged”  therefore, must encourage them Re-education Re-education Not resistance (as Freud saw), but lack of courage to give up neurotic lifestyle Not resistance (as Freud saw), but lack of courage to give up neurotic lifestyle Collaborative effort btn client and therapist Collaborative effort btn client and therapist Client must come to understanding – not forced Client must come to understanding – not forced Goal of therapy = increase feelings of community and to find healthy ways to deal with inferiority feelings (encourage client) Goal of therapy = increase feelings of community and to find healthy ways to deal with inferiority feelings (encourage client)