Overview
This lecture discusses Alfred Adler’s theory of individual psychology, focusing on his concepts of inferiority, striving for superiority, the final goal, social interest, and the ways personality develops.
Freud and the Origins of Individual Psychology
- Freud’s psychoanalysis emphasized sex and aggression as main drives.
- Adler broke away from Freud, disagreeing with his focus and founding individual psychology.
Adler’s Individual Psychology: Core Ideas
- People are born weak and experience feelings of inferiority.
- Striving for superiority is the main driving force behind behavior.
- Personality development is shaped by subjective perceptions, not objective reality.
- Each person develops a unique, self-consistent style of life based on heredity, upbringing, and personal choices.
- The ultimate criterion for psychological health is social interest, or feeling united with others.
Striving for Superiority and the Final Goal
- Feelings of inferiority motivate the drive to become superior.
- The “final goal” is a personal, sometimes unconscious ambition, varying by individual.
- Final goals can be about personal superiority or success for humanity, and are fictional (not objectively real).
- Achieving the final goal unifies one’s actions and personality.
Subjective Perceptions and Fictions
- Reality is interpreted subjectively; people act based on beliefs and perceptions, not facts.
- "Fictions" are beliefs (true or not) that significantly influence behavior and goals.
Compensation and Physical Inferiorities
- Physical deficiencies are less important than how individuals perceive and deal with them.
- People may compensate for weaknesses by developing strengths in other areas.
Personality Unity and Body Language
- Actions, thoughts, and feelings serve a single purpose tied to the final goal.
- Body language often reveals more about a person’s personality than words.
- Mind and body are unified; both express personality.
Conscious, Unconscious, and Social Interest
- Conscious and unconscious processes are consistent and unified in serving the final goal.
- Social interest reflects a sense of belonging and cooperation within humanity.
- Social interest is not just charity; it’s about genuine contribution and connection.
Creative Power and Style of Life
- Individuals have the creative power to shape their personality and final goals.
- Style of life is the unique way each person pursues their goals, influenced but not determined by environment and heredity.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Inferiority Complex — persistent sense of inadequacy arising from childhood weaknesses.
- Striving for Superiority — fundamental drive to overcome inferiority through growth and achievement.
- Final Goal — an imagined future objective guiding all actions.
- Social Interest — innate sense of connectedness and contribution to humanity.
- Fictions — personal beliefs or perceptions that guide behavior, regardless of their truth.
- Creative Power — individual’s ability to shape their style of life and goals.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review Adler’s main ideas and definitions.
- Prepare examples from your own life to illustrate concepts for discussion.
- Read primary or summary texts on Adler for more context.