1. Alfred Adler’s Individual Psychology

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

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

4. Degree of inferiority feelings depends on interpretation of child Does child see it as insurmountable or as challenge? 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)

5. Review of theory Born with feelings of inferiority Must do something 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 Not over others Superiority over feelings of inferiority

6. Initiates compensation = process of overcoming feelings of inferiority Positive compensation = healthy and within social context 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 What you see  attention-getting beh, attempts to make self important by making others feel small, etc.

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

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

9. 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 Imagined ideal situation of perfection, completion and belonging Teleological focus  behavior is pulled toward this goal 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)

10. Fictional finalism serves two functions Intiates compensation – gets us moving by creating goal/destination Creates positive feelings in present – hope

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

12. 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 Our individualized approach to experience Includes how we perceive/give meaning to our exp’s 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

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

14. Early experiences What happened in early life – how did parents treat you 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) 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

15. 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 Mistaken beliefs = faulty private logic Attention  I belong only when I am noticed. Power  I belong only when I am in control. Revenge  I belong only when I hurt others. Display of inadequacy  I belong only by appearing inadequate or helpless.

16. Family constellation: how close or distant family is in terms of relationships Quality of relationships in family Close or distant – both can be problematic Family atmosphere Attitudes/beliefs of family “Private logic” of family

17. Birth order Influence of ordinal position (e.g., first, second, third, etc.) of birth Also influenced by gender, years between siblings, events, disabilities, etc. Examples…

18. Birth order (cont’d) What position does the 17-year-old male have? What about the 15-year-old female? 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? 1817151413

19. Birth order (cont’d) What position does the 15-year-old female have? What position does the 14-year-old male have? 2725151413

20. Birth order (cont’d) What position does the 14-year-old male have? What position does the 13-year-old female have? 1817151413

21. 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 But also must be nurtured, supported, and encouraged by parents and society to develop Saw man as social being Broader sense of caring for community, humanity

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

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

24. 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 Attempt to excuse self from failures by depreciating others Distance self from others by accusations, guilt, etc. Develop symptoms that help them avoid connections with others

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

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

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

28. Therapy Remember, considered those with problems to be “discouraged”  therefore, must encourage them Re-education Not resistance (as Freud saw), but lack of courage to give up neurotic lifestyle Collaborative effort btn client and therapist 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)