Abstract This paper discusses the theoretical perspective in counseling of AlfredAdler. The paper relates what Adlerian theory sees as the nature of people. The paper also explores the factors that most influence personality, according to Adlerian theory. The paper concludes with a review of Adler's view of the change process and the role of the counselor in this process.
From the Paper "The purpose of this paper is to provide a brief overview of the psychological theory of Alfred Adler. To this end, the paper discusses Adlerian views on the nature of human beings..."
Abstract AlfredAdler developed a theory of personality that describes how social interaction, birth order, life style, and family influences combine to form the personality of a person. Besides these things he also used the terms ?finalism,? which describes a goal or ambition that drives a person, and ?superiority,? which is a persons drive to be perfect. Different studies will are used to verify and expand his original work.
From the Paper "Alfred Adler, born in 1870, was the second of six children. He had a self-described "bad" childhood. He dealt with illnesses and accidents and he witnessed one of his bothers die (Engler, 1995). His father thought that Adler would amount to a lot. He later went to school where he was only a mediocre student. After coming close to quitting school, he turned his academic career around and became an outstanding student. He then went to medical school and became a neurologist (Engler, 1995)."
Abstract This paper reviews and discusses AlfredAdler's ideas on neurosis and the human personality. According to the paper, the psychological approach of AlfredAdler is even more relevant to today's societal climate. The paper discusses how Alder stressed the need for persons to find a sense of future-directed, goal-oriented and authentic self- hood, located in a larger societal community.
Outline:
Neurosis: The Modern Condition of Isolation and Dissatisfaction
Inferiority Complex
Therapeutic Approach
Conclusion
From the Paper "In Adler's view, society can be a source of strength and comfort--but also provoke neurosis when the individual feels helpless and inferior, as a result of unresolved issues regarding agency, issues begun in childhood. Adler was interested in overcoming the inferiority complex through positive social interaction. "There are the four main types of people, three out of four are negative. The ruling type tries to control others. The getting type tends to be very passive and goes along with others ideas, rarely inventive. The avoiding types try to isolate themselves to avoid defeat, they are usually very cold. The socially useful type, values having control over their lives and strive to do good things for the sake of society."(Fischer, 2001) These persons have a secure sense of self, and becoming such a socially useful, happy, and secure person is the ultimate goal of Adlerian therapy."
Abstract This in-depth paper explores the father of individual psychology, AlfredAdler. The writer of this paper discusses Adler's life, career and many accomplishments in psychology. Adler was the first theorist to emphasize the fundamental social nature of people and stressed that the motivating force in human life is the sense of inferiority, which begins as soon as an infant is able to comprehend the existence of other people who are better able to care for themselves and cope with their environment.
From the Paper "In 1907 Adler published his "Study on Organ Inferiority", thus providing a biological foundation for depth psychology and also making an independent contribution to psychosomatic medicine. The key concept in Adlers's "Study" is that of compensation and overcompensation with regard to physical and intellectual deficiencies, a central issue in his later works. Freud welcomed this original approach and tried to incorporate it in his psychoanalytic system."
Abstract Victor Frankenstein is the main character of Mary Shelley's novel, "Frankenstein," published in 1818. He is a brilliant and over-ambitious young Swiss who delves in natural science and aspires to achieve the sole divine prerogative of creating life. Victor reaches this peak level of ambition because he has been pampered in childhood and, because of this, everything seems possible to him. This paper shows that AlfredAdler, like Sigmund Freud, believes that one's personality or lifestyle is fixed as early as 5 years old. The paper discusses three basic child situations, as offered by Adler, the first of which is pampering. Pampered children, like Victor, assume that they can take without giving and do not learn to do things by themselves, only to discover later that they are actually inferior. Victor is also the first child in the family and, according to Adler, first children are more likely to turn into problem children, or become precocious, solitary and more conservative than children in another birth order. The paper shows that Adler's personality concept is viewed as applicable to Victor Frankenstein in his pursuit and creation of a monster. The paper shows examples from the novel of the traits discussed by Adler.
From the Paper "Victor's lack of natural domestic affection for the creature has very dire consequences for both of them and other people around them (Waxman 2003). He has delved into the depths of the mystery of creation and removed the barriers between life and death, also by using body tissues of dead persons. The combination amounts to monstrosity in all levels. In procreating the monster, Victor also traverses and violates the boundary between the sexes and arrogates upon himself the procreative capacity of a woman in procreating and delivering a creature. When he sees the contemptible result of his ambitious experiment, Victor wants an abortion, instead."
Abstract The following paper discusses Adler's theory of individual psychology. The writer discusses how Adler saw the the conscious and unconscious, not as contradictory but forming a single unity. This paper focuses on Adler's notion of the 'inferiority complex', discussing his belief that our feelings of inferiority while awake are revealed in our dream, and he saw this as a connection between wake and sleep states.
From the Paper "Adler began his career as a psychoanalyst as part of Freud's inner circle. However, he came to the conclusion that Freud was incorrect to place the source of all personal conflict in our sexual development. (Weider, 1995) So eventually he broke from Freud's philosophy and formed his own theory of personality development. His approach emphasizes the person as a social individual rather than a sexual individual. He put more importance on the values the person holds and the choice he makes.He saw early childhood as crucial in later personality development. He saw individuals as constantly working for individual perfection, and he believed that as a young child we are profoundly affected by feelings of inadequacy as we compare ourselves to our parents. This has been described as an "inferiority complex," but that is an oversimplification."
Abstract The paper states that in the field of modern psychology, Sigmund Freud, AlfredAdler, and Carl Jung developed three classic theories of personalities. This paper compares these three theories and illustrates how Adler and Jung spring boarded their theories based on the prominent work of Sigmund Freud. The paper concludes that these theories of personality are the basis for most counseling and treatment programs used today. The paper confirms that the concepts are different, the counseling process differs, and the techniques vary, but all attempt to find the way to balanced mental health.
From the Paper "Another Freudian concept in the psychoanalytic theory of personality includes defense mechanisms, which develop in the unconscious. Defense mechanisms are ways in which the ego deals with endopsychic conflicts. These mechanisms help us deal with inner conflicts in a way that lets the ego remain intact and unscathed. Projection, reaction formation, fixation, regression, and repression are some of the better-known defense mechanisms Freud identified.
Freud also scrutinized the unconscious."
Abstract A look at the Alfredian theory on psychotherapy. The paper begins by listing the basic principles of the theory such as inferiority complex, feeling of community, unity of the individual, and unique goals. It then proceeds to discuss the actual therapy process according to Adler's theory, by listing four main stratgies - assessment, Socratic questioning, guided and Eidetic imagery and role playing.
From the Paper "Psychotherapy and counseling, at one time referred to two different types of treatment, the former being the name of psychiatric treatment given to severely disturbed people, while the latter usually referred to treatment or advice given to people with milder psychological problems. The distinction between the two terms is becoming increasingly blurred nowadays, with both being often used interchangeably. Ever since Sigmund Freud developed his theories of psychoanalysis in the early twentieth century, different models and schools of psychotherapy have evolved. It is estimated that, at present, there may be as many as 250 different kinds of psychotherapy methods in existence although not all of them are practiced widely. One of the most important models of psychotherapy that I personally find particularly interesting is the Adlerian Model that is based on the theories of the Austrian psychologist and psychiatrist, Alfred Adler (1870-1937)."
Abstract A paper on the theorists of AlfredAdler and Albert Ellis. The question is how the theories of these two can be used to help educators in the classroom with elementary children.
Abstract This paper introduces AlfredAdler, gives a little background information on his life, and later goes on to discuss his theories. The author looks at his theories on birth order characteristics, the model for life of style and and organ inferiority theory. Includes an examination of his psychological types of personalities.
From the paper:
"AlfredAdler was a prominent Austrian psychologist whose life experiences paved the way to the theories he contributed with. He suffered two life-threatening diseases, which made him want to become a physician. He believes that those incidents heightened his motivational level. He is widely known for the development of Individual Psychology. This focuses on a person's ability to succeed in life and his or her obstacles along the way. Adler has contributed with models such as the birth order characteristics and the model for life of style. Other developments include his motivation ideas, his three psychological types or personalities, and organ inferiority theory. This is a research on his early childhood, his adulthood, his disputes with psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud, and his theories."
Table of Contents:
Introduction
AlfredAdler's Childhood
AlfredAdler's Adulthood
The Dispute with Freud
AlfredAdler's Theories
Conclusion
Appendix
The Style of Life Tree
B. Birth Order Characteristic Chart
Reference
Abstract This paper investigates the influence of birth order on the psyche and personality of an individual. The paper probes how the rank of siblings in one's family supplies for universal characteristics of personality types. The views of AlfredAdler, Schwab, Falbo, Gates and other psychologists are discussed. A focus is placed on AlfredAdler's beliefs on the rank and number of family members that results in a person's disposition and behavior.
From the Paper "Alfred Adler once stated, "Even though children have the same parents and grow up in nearly the same setting, they do not have identical social environments" (Hjelle & Ziegler 1992). Adler was one of the first psychologists to propose the idea that a major determinant of personality was ?order of birth.? Adler believed that children were born into a social group, the family, in which they held different positions of power. He believed that the quest for identity, power and attention was shaped by sequential positions among siblings. Adler believed that each child was born into a "different" family, based on their birth order. He felt that all children strived for superiority and had an intense desire to receive attention and affection from their parents. Therefore, children engage in sibling rivalries, which lead to the development of different personality traits."
Abstract This paper discusses the theories of Karen Horney, who was the first female psychologist of any note in a time when all of the great theorists were men. Her theories sought to uncover the causes of neuroses. The paper explores the theoretical basis of Horney's theories and then compares them to those of her contemporaries, particularly Sigmund Freud, AlfredAdler, Erick Fromm and Carl Rogers.
Table of Contents:
Theory of Neurotic Needs
Horney and Freud
AlfredAdler Erick Fromm
Carl Rogers
Discussion
From the Paper "Horney, Freud and Adler focused on childhood as the source of experiences that lead to neuroses. However, there was not mention in any of the theories as to whether they felt that this was the only time when neuroses developed, or whether one could develop these differences between expectations and what one felt later in life. This was a major point that was left out of almost every major theory and represents a major flaw in Horney's theory as well. It is not known if she felt that the only time to develop neuroses was in childhood.
Horney, Rogers, and Fromm emphasized that each and every person has an idea of how and what they should be. However, this view may not be realistic or attainable. The difference between normalcy and neurosis is the ability to achieve the final goal. One example of this is the perfectionist that never feels that what they do is good enough. They will never achieve their expectations and there will always be inconsistency in what they believe they should be and what they are."
Abstract In this article, the writer discusses that AlfredAdler argued, intriguingly, that all motivation is a product of a singular drive to achieve individual perfection or a personal ideal. The writer notes that this approach to psychological motivation and development has its critics, largely because few believe that achieving such an ideal is even remotely possible. Further, the writer points out that worse, many people who struggle towards perfection are left frustrated and depressed when they find they cannot achieve their goal, despite their best efforts. On a personal note it is related that the writer has been motivated to transcend the limitations of the past and make a better, more fulfilling life, in the truest tradition of AlfredAdler.
Journal Entry: Adlerian Theory and Its Personal Application
Journal Entry: An Adlerian Perspective
From the Paper "Adler also differed from other psychologists of the day - and today -because of where he placed his focus and emphasis in studying individual motivation. Other theorists see motivation as the product of one's past. In other words, if an individual experiences Event A during childhood, then we should expect that that individual would perform Behavior B as an adult. This is one approach to the question of a motivation's origins. Adler, however, advocated teleology, which states that motivation is the act of moving towards the future, not being mechanically driven by the events of the past. Teleology is future-oriented and requires an individual to concede that while life may be hard or uncertain, one always has the ability to make choices that will change the nature of that life. Adler, then, saw motivation as a function of an individual's desire to achieve a particular goal, not simply as the product of past events beyond the individual's control. This differing perspective places a greater emphasis on the free agency of the individual to take control of his or her life and change it for the better."
Abstract This paper presents a case study of a child who is expressing anxiety problems. The paper then describes and analyzes AlfredAdler's theories on individual psychology and discusses how these theories would relate to the current case. The paper finally discusses useful intervention strategies such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) as a means of learning how to manage the child's anxiety.
Table of Contents:
Client History
Adler's Individual Psychology
Useful Intervention Strategies
Summary
From the Paper "In the current case study, CBT is recommended for use as it identifies the patient's inferiority complex as the source of feelings of anxiety. CBT recognizes that the way in which a patient thinks can trigger an emotional response; here, thoughts of personal shortcoming trigger emotional anxiety. This in turn results in anxiety attacks, or at the very least causes the patient to become overly sensitive and anxious. The problem with this process is that it can become a cyclical pattern where the patient manifests anxiousness, which affects his behavior, which in turn causes him to act abnormally, and this finally results in peers or adults treating him in a different manner. Over time, the patient's learned responses to the perception of different treatment characterize him as different, which in turn exacerbates conditions of anxiety."
