SU3 ALDER Flashcards
How does Adler describe the unity of a person’s personality?
alder views the individual as a unified whole
(holistic) with thoughts and behaviours working together to achieve a specific goal (striving for superiority)rather a sum of individual parts id ego and superego. he believes that behaviour is purposeful and goal-directed
name 2 ways striving for superiority is expressed
striving for power-compensate for weakness
social interest- desire to give back
what is fictional finalism
creation of fictional goals which direct behavior
Why is “social interest” central to Adler’s view of a person?
dler emphasized that true health and fulfillment come from contributing to the welfare of others. Social interest reflects an innate tendency toward cooperation and empathy.
what is lifestyle according to alder?
the setting of goals and the unique way an individual pursues their life goals to compensate for inferiority and strive for superiority
Alders conception of the structure of personality?
*constitutional attributes- genetically determined attributes(potential) which in interaction with the creative self and social environment play a role in the development
*social environment- a feeling of inferiority develops because of a child’s first social interaction because of the fact that they depend on the parents and are small compared to the parents this feeling is present throughout our lives which results in attempts to compensate for inferiority and strive for superiority
*Creative self- ability of a person to be creative about their goals and how they achieve them focus is on the capability of the person
what are the 4 characteristic types of lifestyles
active constructive-develops in a family atmosphere with a spirit of cooperation and a community-orientated approach to problem-solving e.g ambitious and serving community
passive constructive- inclined to adopt community-orientated goals but pursue them in a passive way with others taking initiative e.g. friendly but lack independence
active destructive -working actively towards goals that are selfish and disadvantageous to society e.g Power seeking anti-social
passive deconstructive likely to be anti-social strives towards selfish and anti-social goals in a passive way
what motivstes a person according to alder
striving for superiority or perfectionism manifests in social interest and striving for power to compensate and to experience inferiority
how do people cope with weakness and inferiority (striving for power)
compensation-making up for weakness by developing a weak organ or function or related organ or function to an extraordinarily high degree
sensitivity- people’s preoccupations with their weakness to the extent that they are easily hurt if reference is made to them
overcompensation- over-emphasis on strong points in attempt to hide weakness
what does the striving for superiority that does not manifest into social interest look like
inferiority complex- the lack of self-worth, doubt and uncertainty feelings of not measuring up to standards often leading to overcompensating it is subconscious
superiority complex-a psychological defense mechanism in which a person’s feelings of superiority counter or conceal feelings of inferiority
how does an individual develop a lifestyle
the 1st 5 years of life from the individual’s lifestyle prototype play a role in the development of the individual and cannot be easily changed and adolescence, maturity and old age are just situations where existing traits are being expressed problems can be grouped in either occupational, social and sexual
factors influencing development
Constitutional factors- inherited physical characteristics and abilities secondary to the way individuals use their strengths and weaknesses but what is important to him is what his individual does with these abilities to shape their lifestyle
Social environment and the creative self-social environment may elicit a certain response to a situation, but the person does not determine the response but what how the person views the situation the growing child’s social environment influences their development that’s why attention is given to family relationships
describe and explain the birth order
1st born-eldest children do not adjust well to the change of getting a new sibling they see it as a dethronement they hold a big grudge because they receive less attention the older child when a new sibling is born the less, they feel dethroned. firstborns are past-orientated and nostalgic but pessimistic about the future. as adults they’re meticulous about detail perfectionists and reflect conservative and authoritarian attitudes. (perverts, criminals and neurotic)
second child -2nd has to compete with the eldest this acts as a strong stimulus to their striving for superiority which leads to striving for power parents become less anxious about rearing a child 2n child is usually optimistic, competitive ambitious and an achiever. possible for a 2nd born to give up if they feel like they fighting a losing battle this results in them being an underachiever
youngest-never have to experience the shock of dethronement. maybe too spoiled or pampered prevents them from being independent as they choose to remain helpless because they are unaccustomed to struggling and striving, may find it difficult to cope with adulthood prone to developing a dependent or passive lifestyle
Alder’s view on optimal development
The person has overcome inferiorities and strives to move away from
individual striving
superiority and perfection. He regards the active constructive lifestyle as the most appropriate for achieving basic human goals of superiority and perfection. The optimally developed person is someone who has a widely expanded social interest and empathy with others and feels united with the present and the future as a whole. Although ideals might seem impossible, we should remember fictional finalism we can strive for the fulfilment of these ideals like they are possibly establishing self-enchantment(seeing yourself in a positive light)
Alders view on psycho pathology
No essential difference
between mental health and
psychopathology (degree of
dysfunction. rooted in a lack of social interest and excessive preoccupation with self. selfishness and a lack of social interest manifest in a superiority or inferiority complex. a mentally healthy person can deal with life’s challenges better than a neurotic while a psychotic fails to cope. Neurotics develop inefficient coping skills usually making excuses for failure. doubt of one’s self is expressed in a feeling of inadequacy and inferiority which reduce social interest which is the root cause of maladjustment and psychopathology
alder vs freud
Freud’s Theory
According to Freud, human behavior is motivated by sex and aggression. He believed that people have no choice in shaping their personality, which is determined by unconscious forces. Freud also thought that present behavior is caused by past experiences, particularly those from early childhood. Additionally, he emphasized the role of the unconscious in shaping behavior, suggesting that people are often unaware of the true motivations behind their actions.
Adler’s Theory
In contrast, Adler’s theory proposes that human behavior is motivated by social influences and the striving for superiority. He believed that people are largely responsible for who they are and that they have the power to shape their own personality. Adler also thought that present behavior is shaped by the future, with people being driven by their goals and aspirations. Furthermore, he assumed that people are usually aware of what they please, emphasizing the role of conscious thought and feeling in guiding behavior.
Evaluation of alder’s theory
Alder had a great influence of psychology, difficult to test the validity of his concepts. he’s theories often viewed as common sense. he was more modest than Freud in his approach
strength and weaknesses
Strengths: 1. Focus on Social Interest: Emphasizes the importance of
community, relationships, and social connections, which are
central to well-being. 2. Holistic Approach: Adler’s theory looks at the whole person,
considering psychological, social, and cultural factors. 3. Emphasis on Personal Growth: Encourages individuals to
overcome inferiority feelings and strive for personal and social
contribution, fostering self-improvement. 4. Empowerment: Encourages people to take responsibility for
their actions and decisions, promoting self-efficacy and
autonomy. 5. Practical Application: Adler’s principles can be easily applied
in therapy, education, and personal development, promoting
positive change. 6. Future-Oriented: Adler’s focus on goals and the future
(fictional finalism) motivates individuals to create a vision for
their lives. 7. Strength-Based: Focuses on strengths and the potential for
growth rather than pathology, fostering resilience.
* Weaknesses: 1. Overemphasis on Social Environment: While social interest
is important, Adler may not fully account for the impact of
biological or unconscious factors on behavior. 2. Lack of Empirical Evidence: Some of Adler’s concepts, such
as fictional finalism and inferiority complexes, are difficult to test
scientifically. 3. Overgeneralization: The theory may oversimplify the
complexity of human behavior, as not all individuals are
motivated by social interest or personal growth. 4. Cultural Bias: Adler’s theory may be more suited to Western
individualistic cultures, as it emphasizes personal achievement
and self-improvement over collective needs. 5. Limited Focus on Trauma: While Adler focuses on
overcoming inferiority, his theory may not fully address how
deep-seated trauma or past experiences shape behavior. 6. Idealization of Social Interest: While social contribution is
important, Adler’s view of social interest may be overly idealistic
or not practical for some individuals, especially in challenging
social contexts. 7. Underestimation of External Barriers: Adler places significant
emphasis on internal goals and personal responsibility, which
may overlook external societal and systemic barriers.
