Chapter 4: Alfred Adler Flashcards
What Adler’s theory focuses on?
uniqueness of each person
Adler believes that personality is shaped by…
unique social environments and interactions
What’s the core of the personality?
the conscious
What is compensation?
motivation to overcome inferiority
when inferiority complex develops?
when a person is unable to compensate for normal inferiority feelings
characteristic of inferiority complexes
poor self-opinions, helpless, difficult to cope with life demands
when superiority complex develops?
when a person overcompensates for normal inferiority feelings
characteristic of superiority complexes
boastful, self-centered, denigrate others
causes of inferiority complexes
organic inferiority, spoiling or pampering, neglecting
fictional finalism
potential fictional goals
creative power of self
ability to create an appropriate style of life
what are the style of life?
dominant, avoiding, getting, socially useful
characteristics of the first-born child
intellectually mature, organized, authoritarian, and conscientious . insecure and hostile
characteristics of second-born child
optimistic, competitive, ambitious *may turn to be an underachiever
characteristic of the youngest child
high achievers, may become dependent and helpless, if pampered
characteristics of the only child
matures early, disappointment follows when not the center of attention
what’s the assessments in Adler’s theory?
early recollection and dream analysis
what is early recollection?
technique uses the earliest memories, real and fantasized
helps reveals the primary interest of life
what is dream analysis?
involves feelings regarding a current problem
interpretation requires knowledge about the person and their style of life
Why Adler criticizes tests of personality?
relied on therapist intuition
neglected children tend to develop
depression and anxiety
pampered children tend to
have low self-esteem, lack empathy for others
children who score high on social interest tend to
score low on depression, anxiety and hostility
become happy and agreeable
first-born tend to be
intelligent and hard working
low depression and anxiety
high self esteem