Adlerian psychology

Adlerian Psychology is a school of psychology founded by Alfred Adler, a Viennese psychiatrist in the early 20th century. Adlerian psychology, also known as Individual Psychology, emphasizes the unique individuality of each person and the importance of a sense of belonging and contribution to society.

History

Adlerian psychology was developed by Alfred Adler, a colleague of Sigmund Freud. Adler broke away from Freud's psychoanalytic approach, disagreeing with Freud's emphasis on the influence of biological drives and unconscious processes. Instead, Adler proposed a holistic approach that considers the individual in their social context.

Key Concepts

Adlerian psychology is based on several key concepts:

• Individuality: Adler believed that each person is unique and that their personality is shaped by their experiences and perceptions.

• Social Interest: This is a sense of belonging and contributing to society. Adler believed that mental health is related to a person's level of social interest.

• Inferiority and Superiority Complexes: Adler proposed that feelings of inferiority can drive a person to compensate and achieve superiority. These complexes can influence a person's self-esteem and behavior.

• Lifestyle: According to Adler, each person develops a unique lifestyle at an early age, which serves as a roadmap for dealing with life's challenges.

• Birth Order: Adler suggested that a person's birth order can have a significant impact on their personality and behavior.

Therapy

Adlerian therapy focuses on helping individuals understand their lifestyle and their patterns of behavior. The goal is to promote a healthy sense of self and to develop social interest. Techniques used in Adlerian therapy include lifestyle assessment, encouragement, and role playing.

Criticisms and Contributions

While Adlerian psychology has been criticized for its lack of empirical evidence and its focus on the individual to the exclusion of societal factors, it has also made significant contributions to the field of psychology. It was one of the first schools of psychology to emphasize the social and community context of individual behavior, and it has influenced many other psychological theories and therapeutic approaches.

See Also

• Alfred Adler
• Psychoanalysis
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Humanistic Psychology