ALFRED ADLER

WHO IS ALFRED ADLER?!

Born on February 7, 1870

At 5, Alfred almost died of pneumonia which is
what led him to being a physician
He was an average student and was also very
outgoing, popular and active
He began his career as an ophthalmologist, but soon
he switched to general practice
His office was in a lower class part of Vienna, which
was a combination of an amusement park and circus
His clients included circus people and their unusual
strengths and weaknesses led to his insights into
organ inferiorities and compensation

ORGAN INFERIORITY AND

COMPENSATION

Some organs may be more stronger than

others. These biological imperfection cause
problems in the persons life because of the
stress put on them by the environment.
However, some can be overdeveloped to
compensate psychologically the real problem
by developing certain personality styles or
skills.

EXAMPLE

Ex). Someone that is extremely insecure

about their height may invest all of their
energy in working out to compensate for
their inferiority.

FEELINGS OF INFERIORITY

This is not a biological inferiority, but

psychological. Adler pointed out that all humans
start life with feelings of inferiority because we
are completely dependent on adults for survival.
Every person has feelings of weakness (femininity)
femnint and an impulse to become strong
(masculinity). When a person become more
powerful meant to become more masculinity and
as result less feminine. Femnin Therefore, men
and women seek to become powerful enough to
overcome inferiority feelings.

MASCULINE PROTEST

Adler noted that boys were held in higher

esteem than girls
Boys wanted desperately to be thought of as
strong, aggressive, in control ie. Masculine
(does this point sound familiar class!)
The idea of weakness and dependency is
seen feminine

MASCULINE PROTEST CNTD

Ex).
If a boy fusses or demands to have his own way
(masculine protest) they say it is natural.
If a girl is quiet and shy, she is praised for her
femininity. However if a boy is quiet and shy, they worry
he may grow up to be a sissy and if a girl is assertive,
they call her a tomboy and hope she grows out of it.
Adler asserted that men are no more successful or
powerful because they are men but because they are
encouraged to be assertive.
Both genders begin life with a capacity to protest,
what they protest though is largely shaped by what we
expect them to be.

FEELINGS OF INFERIORITY AS MOTIVATIONAL

The feelings of inferiority are the primary

motivating force behind all personal
accomplishments.
However, even though feelings of inferiority
act as a stimulus for all positive
achievement, they can also create neurosis.
This is when a person is overwhelmed by
feelings of inferiority. At which point he or
she is prevented from accomplishing
anything. Such a person is said to have an
inferiority complex.

INFERIORITY COMPLEX

Depending on whatever complex you may

have (you may have more than one), you will
develop an inferiority complex
A person with inferiority complex tends to be
vain and arrogant with others.

STRIVING FOR SUPERIORITY

Adler said that this theory is the

fundamental fact of life, which is superiority
and perfection.
Is the use of effort to obtain superiority over
others.
This motivates a person to do everything
perfect and complete so he may get
superiority over others.
The first principal of Adlerian theory is: The
one dynamic force behind peoples behavior is the
striving for success or superiority.

STRIVING FOR SUPERIORITY

Therefore, Adler reduced all motivation to a

single drive it is the striving for success or
superiority.
It is the desire to fulfill our potentials and to
come closer and closer to our ideal
Adler later asserted that striving for
superiority can be unhealthy or neurotic

SOURCES

http://www.muskingum.edu/~psych/psycweb/
history/adler.htm
http://www.alfredadler.edu/about/theory
An introduction to theories of personality by
Matthew H. Olson
http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/adler.htm
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