4-aa1 Flashcards
core tenet
personality functioning is manifested int eh manner in which individuals strive to compensate for perceived inferiorities
personality functioning is manifested int eh manner in which individuals strive to compensate for perceived inferiorities
core tenet
strivings for superiority
adler believed that people develop feelings of inferiority early in life
because kids possess an innate tendency toward completion or wholeness, they attempt to compensate for inferiority feelings in some way
because kids possess an innate tendency toward completion or wholeness, they attempt to compensate for inferiority feelings in some way
strivings for superiority
fictional finalisms
specific goals of superiority strivings
e.g. kid might compensate for a perceived lack of athletic ability by striving to become the smartest person in the world
specific goals of superiority strivings
fictional finalisms
style of life
strategies that people used to overcome perceived inferiorities
strategies that people used to overcome perceived inferiorities
style of life
3 style of life determinants
- real or imagined inferiority
- birth order
- family atmosphere
real or imagined inferiority
style of life determinants
e.g. in you’re a bald, immensely goofy lookin guy, strive tow win over women by playing the guitar
style of life determinants
e.g. in you’re a bald, immensely goofy lookin guy, strive tow win over women by playing the guitar
real or imagined inferiority
birth order
first: subsequent strivings for superiority revolve around power issues (never wanting to get dethroned again)
middle: feel they have to work extra hard to catch up to oldest sibling. Tend to have especially strong superiority strivings
young: get things to easily and have their superiority strivings undermined
only kid: develop an exaggerated sense of self-importance and deficient social interest
family atmosphere
if mom and dad are equal partners and family atmosphere is characterized by cooperation, trust, respect, help, and understanding, the kid strives for superiority in a partially conscious, socially constructive way (social success)
if dad is a tyrant and atmosphere is distrust, neglect, or too much pampering, kid strives fo superiority in an unconscious, socially destructive way (personal superiority)
active-constructive
2x2
energetic strivings for social success identified with the social good
(Adler says most mentally healthy)
e.g. John spent his entire adult life protecting and enhancing the civil rights of those to whom they have been historically denied, often at his own physical peril
energetic strivings for social success identified with the social good
active-constructive
2x2
passive-destruction
2x2
lazy unwillingness to solve own problems; blame others instead, thereby gaining control and thus personal superiority over your “persecutors”
(Adler least mentally healthy)
e.g. American non-voter blames not voting on the system and blames government officials-whom they could remove from office if they voted
lazy unwillingness to solve own problems; blame others instead, thereby gaining control and thus personal superiority over your “persecutors”
passive-destruction
2x2
active-destructive
2x2
forcefully attempt to achieve personal superiority in a selfish manner
e.g. serial killer who murders in order to validate his unusually high self-esteem
forcefully attempt to achieve personal superiority in a selfish manner
active-destructive
2x2
passive-constructive
2x2
accept inferiority but still try to achieve social success in some small, indirect way
e.g. accept that you’re a victimized secretary but always look glamorous so that beauty is brought into others lives
accept inferiority but still try to achieve social success in some small, indirect way
passive-constructive
2x2
Horvath & Morf, 2009
assumed narcissists secretly harbor fears of inferiority and worthlessness
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