The Adlerian Theory of Individual Psychology was developed by Alfred Adler, whose origin forms the fundamental underpinnings of the theory. A look into his early life justifies the ideas, motives, and devices he employs in the theory that he develops later in his life. Counseling encompasses the aiding of a person with behavioral problems to adopt desirable manners. This paper consists of some background information about Alfred Adler, the origin of the ‘Inferiority Complex,’ concepts of Adlerian theory, the therapeutic techniques of the theory, and its suitability in psychotherapy.
Background Information
Alfred Adler was born in the year 1870 in Vienna as the third child of a Jewish grain merchant. He was the second-born son of his family. Alfred had physical complications in his childhood. He developed rickets, for instance, that delayed his walking till the age of four. A pneumonic infection almost killed him at the age of five years. Adler’s school life was one of average performance, and he had a peculiar outgoing character, which saw him outdo his older brother.
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Alfred obtained a medical degree from the University of Vienna in 1895, where he also associated with socialist students. Raissa Epstein was a social activist and intellectual from Russia and was studying in Vienna. Adler married Raissa in the year 1897, after which they sired four children. Two of their children became psychiatrists. Alfred Adler practiced his medical career, and he served as a physician in the Austrian Army during World War 1 on the Russian Front, where he served war victims. He witnessed the effects and destruction caused by the war on individuals.
Social interest is among the significant concepts of Adlerian Theory, as seen in his feeling that humanity needed to change its ways to continue existing (Parker & Crunk, 2019). Adler’s Individual Psychology theory represents his perception of man as a holistic being, whose behavior is dependent on hereditary and environmental aspects of an individual.
Principles of Adlerian Theory
Viewing of an individual as a whole and the self-consistent entity is one of the basic tenets of the Individual Psychology theory. Adler supports the idea of relating a person’s mind and body functions (Parker & Crunk, 2019). I conquer with his concept because an individual is an indivisible unit and must always be looked at as a whole, and never in isolation. The second principle is the view of human life as a dynamic force striving for perfection. The Individual Psychology theory indicates that there is a driving force, and a motivating factor that prompts hard work towards a goal (Parker & Crunk, 2019). Each person has a unique desire in life, which explains the exceptional behavior of persons. Adler refers to this motivation as the ‘striving for perfection.’
The third tenet is the teleological principle, which views motivation as a matter of moving towards the future. Teleology advocates for change as an inevitable aspect of human life. Adler acknowledges that life is an uncertain experience with challenges. Another principle is the seeing of an individual as a creative and self-determined being. Alfred Adler argues that the imaginations, memory, and perceptions of people are dependent on their creativity (Parker & Crunk, 2019).An individual’s creativity and imagination power grants them control over actions and behavior.
There is the tenet of the social embeddedness of an individual. Adler sees an individual as a constituent of larger social systems like the family and community (Parker & Crunk, 2019). Belonging to humanity also forms part of the social aspect of individuals, hence their capability to participate in social relations. Finally, there is individual subjectivity, which explains why people are a product of the environments with which they interact, and perceptions of themselves.
The Origin of Inferiority Complex
Inferiority is a condition that makes human beings feel insignificant and less powerful, with the belief that one is less than what one should be. The aspect of individuals striving to be better beings is based on this theory. Adler explains that for one to grow into a successful individual, it is necessary to deal with the feeling, which he terms, ‘Inferiority Complex’ (Parker & Crunk, 2019). Adler argues that feelings of inferiority start from early childhood. Instances of organ failure during infancy, pampering of children, and neglect may lead to an inferiority complex among children.
Organ inferiority implies physical impairment of children. The chronically ill child is to compete successfully with the other children and thus confines oneself to a shell of inadequacy (Meany & Bratton, 2014). In our earlier look into Adler’s life, we see him as a child with physical challenges, like rickets, which keep him from walking up to the age of five years. Adler strives to do well in school and life generally, and we see him make to his dream of becoming a physician.
The pampered child, on the other hand, grows into an individual with little confidence. Such children always have most things, such as even simple chores done for them. The children face social pressure later in life because they cannot cope up with the outside world. Feelings of inferiority will be evident in the children. Additionally, there is a neglected child who grows feeling unwanted and rejected. Lack of affection from persons around causes low esteem and confidence among the children, a feeling that may continue to adulthood (Meany & Bratton, 2014.)
Concepts of the Adlerian Theory
The Concept of Striving for Superiority
Adlerian Theory of Individual Psychology, as in Parker and Crunk (2019), supports that aggression is responsible for the desire to defy odds and become great persons. Human beings have an innate characteristic of seeking superiority. All humans have the desire to leave their past when they see it as less fulfilling and work towards a great future. A forward movement will always be part of the attempt to reach ideal perfection as perceived by each individual. Completion and perfection is the ultimate goal of the superiority complex.
The Concept of Lifestyle
Lifestyle refers to the unique pattern of behavior and character that will define the life goal of an individual. Inferiority feelings can lead to one developing a lifestyle that compensates for the particular inferiority. Inferiority complex, for instance, is a lifestyle that encompasses an individual who is weak in problem-solving, especially regarding social issues.
The Oedipus complex explains the kind of life pampered children live (Fashimpar, 2000. Those individuals who fear to make mistakes in life and always demanding proof of anything raised are said to lead a proof complex lifestyle. There is the ‘no’ complex whose individuals are almost similar to those in the Proof complex category in that they are fearful. However, individuals in the ‘no’ group have a conservative trait that makes them hate change. I think the less socially dependable persons who often run from their responsibilities emanate from the fearful type.
The Redeemer Complex lifestyle describes persons who always strive to help others in life due to some perceived problems (Parker & Crunk, 2019). I think most of the socially productive persons we see today are as a result of such lifestyles as described in the Redeemer complex. Such people are not only concerned with their needs but those of others too. Adler describes another lifestyle called predestination complex in which persons are fearless and lack planning because they believe nothing can deter them from their course.
The is the Leader Complex, which Parker and Crunk (2019) describe to be lived by individuals who see themselves as pacesetters, hence hold on to their grounds, with less concern for others, therefore portraying an antisocial behavior. Adler also highlights a lifestyle in which individuals aspire to be near actions in life but do not take part in the process; he calls this the Spectator complex because the individuals are less independent in life.
The Concept of Social Interest
Adlerian theory is relational and social-contextual. The theory explains the tendency of humans to associate with fellow human beings. Adler asserts that the tasks of life such as work, spirituality, society, self, and love address relationships at work, with God, fellow humans, and oneself. Social interest results from such community feelings as a sense of belonging and acceptance for others. According to the Individual Psychology theory, striving to be perfect can happen in a socially essential or useless manner (Parker & Crunk, 2019). The manner one chooses involves the Adlerian criterion for mental health, as a development whose goal is social interest.
The Concept of Creative Self
The Adlerian theory implies the creation of personality from heredity and environment. In my opinion, the creative self is solely responsible for one’s destiny. However, Adler argues that heredity gives man specific capabilities, whereas the environment grants an opportunity for on to improve the inherited traits.
The Order of Birth Concept
Adler supported the idea of a person’s ordinal position in the family impacts perceptions and lifestyles (Fashimpar, 2000). The first-born child enjoys an enviable position in the family before the arrival of the second child, who initiates competition for affection and attention. The first-born then feels neglected and may never regain his place in the family.
The second-born child, on the other hand, becomes ambitious and competitive in the struggle to outdo the first-born. The youngest child of the family will often feel pampered and spoilt by older siblings and parents (Fashimpar, 2000). I conquer with the concept that such a child becomes dependent and not motivated to outdo the other siblings, as Adler suggests. The only child in a family develops a character of self-centeredness since there is no rivalry in the family.
The Fictional Finalism Concept
The Individual Psychology Theory argues that humans live by ideal goals (Parker & Crunk, 2019). Goals enable individuals to create a prospective image of themselves. The goals can be meaningful or misleading. I conquer with Adler in the sense that human beings become aggressive when they have a targeted goal, which gives a sense of direction.
Therapeutic Techniques of Adlerian Theory
The therapeutic process of humans requires a face to face communication between the counselor and the client. Adler proposes an interpretative technique involving a therapist explaining to the client what his/her lifestyle implies.
The comparative technique that he advocates for requires a comparison of the client’s feelings and physical problems that may lead to a particular lifestyle (Parker & Crunk, 2019). The close behavioral inspection technique that Adler suggests constitutes an analysis of the client’s presentation to the counselor from their initial contact. The life history technique of counseling involves digging into the past of the client and relating events to current happenings. Finally, the dream analysis technique includes inspection of the client’s dreams which form the basis for their goals and thus lifestyle.
Suitability of Adlerian Theory in Counselling
I chose the Adlerian theory as the most suitable in the practice of psychology because of its subjectivity. The ‘individual’ aspect of the argument originates from the term ‘indivisible’ in Latin, thus explaining an individual as a complete entity. This idea of relating one’s body and mind is helpful in counseling enables a therapist to connect a client’s lifestyle to their desires and goals.
The theory is applicable among clients whose superiority strivings need to be adjusted to allow consideration for others in society. We live in a competitive era that requires collective responsibility for all humanity to maintain the down-up direction suggested by Adler to exist life. Adler’s career life saw him show empathy for war victims. I view this gesture as an epitome of social interests
The attempt to reduce clients’ inferiority complexes necessitates the application of the Individual Psychology theory, which points out that motivation is vital in compelling one to become a better being (Fashimpar, 2000). The theory champions for the seeking of perfection and completeness. The early life of Alfred Adler is characterized by feelings of inferiority due to illness and being the third- born child. These concepts on birth order and inferiority complexes compel him to outdo his siblings.
The theory best suits counseling scenario where clients need to redefine their mistaken lifestyles and develop positive ones. Self-centered individuals, for example, will need to embrace social interaction (Parker & Crunk, 2019).
Conclusion
The Adlerian theory is useful in psychological therapy because it employs such concepts as striving for superiority, social interests, self- creativity, the order of birth concept, and fictional finalism or goals. We also find that personalities are dependent on one’s lifestyle, as explained by Adler.
References
Fashimpar, G. A. (2000). Problems of parenting: solutions of science. Journal of Family Social Work , 5 (2), 67–80. https://search-ebscohost-com.lopes.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=9868979&site=ehost-live&scope=site.
Meany, W. K. K., Bratton, S. C., & Kottman, T. (2014). Effects of Adlerian Play Therapy on Reducing Students’ Disruptive Behaviors. Journal of Counseling & Development , 92 (1), 47–56. https://doi-org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.1002/j.1556-6676.2014.00129.x
Parker, M., & Crunk, A. E. (2019). Exploring the Test Retest Reliability of the Adlerian Personality Priority Assessment. Journal of Individual Psychology , 75 (3), 231–244. https://search-ebscohost-com.lopes.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=140240831&site=ehost-live&scope=site. Accessed April 26, 2020.
