Overview
This lecture introduces Alfred Adler's Individual Psychology, emphasizing its focus on personal goals, social context, and the drive from inferiority to superiority, contrasting it with Freud's psychoanalysis.
Freud vs. Adler: Key Differences
- Freud focused on past experiences and biological drives (especially sex and aggression) as central to personality.
- Adler focused on the future, personal goals, and subjective striving rather than literal biological drives.
- Freud's personality structure included the id, ego, and superego driven by instinctual urges.
- Adler replaced the sex drive concept with the "masculine protest," a psychological and subjective explanation for behavior.
Adler’s Core Principles
- Human beings strive to move from a sense of inferiority to superiority (personal growth).
- Feelings of inferiority are individual, subjective, and usually develop early in life.
- The drive for superiority and the goals we set are unique to each person and can be changed.
- Changing life goals can alter psychological processes and behavior.
- For Adler, the unconscious is the unknown part of our personal striving, not a separate entity as in Freud's theory.
Personality and Lifestyle
- Adler defined personality as "lifestyle" or "style of life," a self-consistent way of pursuing personal goals.
- Lifestyle is established early and explains individual behavior patterns.
- Different behaviors may be attempts to reach the same personal goal.
Individual and Social Context
- Adler emphasized the individual cannot be separated from their social context.
- Social interest or social feeling is the innate human ability to adjust and participate in society.
- Healthy adjustment requires developing social interest and balancing personal striving with social harmony.
Maladjustment and Life Tasks
- Maladjustment may result from excessive inferiority, lack of social interest, or striving for superiority at the expense of others.
- Success in life requires seeing others as equals and fulfilling key life tasks in love, work, and relationships.
- "Life lie" refers to excuses people use to avoid facing life’s challenges and tasks.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Individual Psychology — Adler’s theory focusing on personal goals and social context.
- Inferiority — The feeling of being less capable or valued, motivating personal growth.
- Superiority — The goal of overcoming inferiority and achieving personal fulfillment.
- Masculine Protest — Adler’s explanation for striving behavior, replacing Freud’s sex drive.
- Lifestyle (Style of Life) — The unique pattern of striving and behaving to achieve personal goals.
- Social Interest — Innate capacity and desire to cooperate and contribute to society.
- Life Lie — Rationalizations used to avoid important life tasks.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review Adler’s key concepts and reflect on your own goals and feelings of inferiority.
- Prepare for further study on applying Individual Psychology to personal development and relationships.