M1. Lesson 3: Individual Psychology Flashcards
What does Adler’s individual psychology present?
Alfred Adler was neither a terrorist nor a person driven mad by ambition. Indeed, his individual psychology presents an optimistic view of people while resting heavily on the notion of social interest, that is, a feeling of oneness with all humankind.
In addition to Adler’s more optimistic look at people, several other differences made the relationship between Freud and Adler quite tenuous. What were those differences?
First, Freud reduced all motivation to sex and aggression, whereas Adler saw people as being motivated mostly by social influences and by their striving for superiority or success;
Second, Freud assumed that people have little or no choice in shaping their personality, whereas Adler believed that people are largely responsible for who they are;
Third, Freud’s assumption that present behavior is caused by past experiences was directly opposed to Adler’s notion that present behavior is shaped by people’s view of the future; and
Fourth, in contrast to Freud, who placed very heavy emphasis on unconscious components of behavior, Adler believed that psychologically healthy people are usually aware of what they are doing and why they are doing it.
Adler was an original member of the small clique of physicians who met in Freud’s home on Wednesday evenings to discuss psychological topics. True or false?
True. However, when theoretical and personal differences between Adler and Freud emerged, Adler left the Freud circle and established an opposing theory, which became known as individual psychology.
What do people begin life with?
People begin life with both an innate striving force and physical deficiencies, which combine to produce feelings of inferiority.
What do feelings of inferiority stimulate people to do?
These feelings stimulate people to set a goal of overcoming their inferiority.
What do people who share physical deficiencies/experienced a pampered lifestyle/experienced a neglected lifestyle tend to do and what are they most likely to have?
People who see themselves as having more than their share of physical deficiencies or who experience a pampered or neglected style of life overcompensate for these deficiencies and are likely to have exaggerated feelings of inferiority, strive for personal gain, and set unrealistically high goals.
What do people with normal feelings of inferiority tend to do?
People with normal feelings of inferiority compensate for these feelings by cooperating with others and developing a high level of social interest.
What is social interest?
Social interest, or a deep concern for the welfare of other people, is the sole criterion by which human actions should be judged.
What are the three major problems of life according to individual psychology?
The three major problems of life—neighborly love, work, and sexual love—can only be solved through social interest.
What are all behaviors consistent with (accdg. to individual psychology)?
All behaviors, even those that appear to be incompatible, are consistent with a person’s final goal.
What is human behavior shaped by (individual psychology)?
Human behavior is shaped neither by past events nor by objective reality, but rather by people’s subjective perception of a situation.
What provides the material of personality? And what is responsible for people’s style of life?
Heredity and environment provide the building material of personality, but people’s creative power is responsible for their style of life.
What do all people, but especially neurotics use?
All people, but especially neurotics, make use of various safeguarding tendencies—such as excuses, aggression, and withdrawal—as conscious or unconscious attempts to protect inflated feelings of superiority against public disgrace.
What are examples of safeguarding tendencies?
excuses, aggression, and withdrawal
Why do people use safeguarding tendencies?
They make use of safeguarding tendencies as conscious or unconscious attempts to protect inflated feelings of superiority against public disgrace
