Week 2 Alfred Adler

Question 1

Context for Alfred Adler

Answer 1

Influenced by childhood in
Vienna
* 1st member psychoanalytic
group to break with Freud
* Used the term ‘individual
psychology’
* 1911: Society of Free
Psychoanalytic Research

Question 2

Where did Adler’s theory stem from

Answer 2

1)The idea of the person as a whole
2)Interconnected with their social context

Question 3

What was Adler’s theory based upon? (3)

Answer 3

Theory based upon:
* All human behaviour as goal driven and
motivated by striving for superiority
* Inferiority occurs when goals are not met
* Neurosis comes from a sense of inferiority

Question 4

Adler’s theory and inferiority (4)

Answer 4

1)All children experience
Inferiority
2)Personality is a result of
striving for superiority
3)Personality Conflict:
incompatibility between
environmental pressures and
internal strivings for adequacy
4)‘Inferiority complex’ – afraid to
take risks and have fear of
failing.

Question 5

Adler and using insecurity as an advantage.

Answer 5

Insecurity drives child to excel

Question 6

‘social interest’

Answer 6

Defined as a sense of belonging, fellowship and community

Question 7

How do people express their strive for superiority

Answer 7

Through concern for social interest

Question 8

Does ‘ social interest ‘protect’ an individual

Answer 8

Social interest protects against feelings of insecurity

Question 9

What happens if there’s poor development of social interest

Answer 9

Psychological problems in adulthood

Question 9

Parental influence on the
developing personality

Answer 9

Style of life is a unique attitude towards the
tasks of life
* “life plan” or “guiding image”
* Between ages 3-5
* Interaction between parent
and child

Question 9

People high in social interest tend to be:

Answer 9

1)Less aggressive
2)Less hostile
3)Less self-centred
4)More helpful and cooperative

Question 9

Adlerian basic concerns (3)

Answer 9

1)Work: Sense of purpose and achievement in contributions to society.
2)Love: Ability to form intimate and meaningful relationships.
3)Friendship: Building connections that foster a sense of belonging.

Question 10

The role of the father (4)

Answer 10

1)Role model for contribution
to family welfare and to
society
2)Equally important to the
mother
3)Must be seen to treat mother
as an equal
4) Mother must not defer
discipline to the father

Question 11

The role of the mother

Answer 11

1)Introduce to the ‘social life’
2)If child loved and wanted then
mother can focus on teaching
social skills
3)If mother is unhappy with her
role then may place
competitive demands on the
child
4)Can lead to inferiority complex

Question 12

Parental behaviours (2)

Answer 12

1)Pampering
2)Neglect

Question 13

Pampering: (3)

Answer 13

1)Protect from fast rides,
aggressive playmates, scary
movies, daily hassles
2)Allowing children to make
their own mistakes and
decisions is good for them
3) Avoid pampering by
allowing independence to
make own choices

Question 14

Neglect: (5)

Answer 14

1)Too little concern for
welfare
2)Emotional or attentional
neglect
3)Grow up cold and suspicious
4) Incapable of warm personal
relationships as adults
5) Uncomfortable with
intimacy/closeness

Question 15

the effects of birth order (3)

Answer 15

1)Siblings have a similar upbringing, family
circumstances etc. However, even with a shared upbringing, each sibling’s personality and behaviour can vary significantly.
2)Siblings encounter families differently, each sibling has a unique perspective on their family dynamics, influenced by factors such as their birth order, temperament, and individual experiences.
3) IQ levels more similar between non-identical
twins than between.suggests that environmental factors and shared experiences may play a significant role in cognitive development.

Question 16

The effects of being a first born:

Answer 16

1)Dethroned ‘monarch’, centre of attention,
understands importance of power and
authority
2)Adult characteristics:Conservative; support authority; intellectually
successful; high achievers

Question 17

The effects of being second born

Answer 17

1)View eldest as competitor; development
depends on treatment from eldest:
supportive = healthy, resentful = problems
2)Adult characteristics:Demanding of themselves; unrealistic goals to
ensure failure; don’t wish to upset the eldest

Question 18

The effects of being the youngest:

Answer 18

1)Remains the ‘baby’; gets most attention;
pampered and spoiled
2) Adult characteristics:Highly dependent on others; need to excel; need
for praise

Question 19

The effects of being the only child:

Answer 19

1)No sibling rivalry or models, likely to be
pampered, especially by mum
2) Adult characteristics:High need for approval; intellectually able; high
achievers.

Question 20

Adler believed the way a person strives for
superiority can be put into 4 categories:

Answer 20

Neurotic types:
(1)Ruling Type
* Selfish lifestyle
(2)Getting Type
* Dependent lifestyle
(3) The Avoiding Type
* Escapist lifestyle
Positive type:
(4)The Socially Useful Type
* A responsible lifestyle

Question 21

1) The ruling type (5)

Answer 21

1)From childhood: Aggressive and dominant over
others
2)Strength of striving for personal power is so great
– push over anyone/anything in their way
3) Negative energy can also be self-directed
4)Most energetic -> Bullies and sadists
5) Less energetic ->Self harm, alcoholics, drug
addicts, suicides

Question 22

2)The getting type (6)

Answer 22

1)Relatively passive
2)Feelings of inferiority lead to dependence and
submission
3) Lacking in self-concept and self-love
4) Prone to phobias, obsessions, anxieties
5)Prefers others to do things/make decisions
6) Low energy levels

Question 23

3)The avoiding type (6)

Answer 23

1)Lack confidence to solve problems
2)Recoil into selves – survive by avoiding life,
especially others
3) Can develop into psychosis if pushed
4) Retreat into own world
5) Look for an easy life, with few responsibilities
6) Lowest energy levels

Question 24

4)The socially useful type (6)

Answer 24

1)Healthy individuals, adequate social interest
2)Not consumed by inferiority and can give to
others
3) Work to improve themselves
4) Connect with others in an authentic way
5) Care about others’ welfare
6)Appropriate energy levels

Question 25

Strengths of Adlerian theory (3)

Answer 25

1)Simple theory but
includes social elements
and so is comprehensive
2)Ideas now in main stream
psychology
3) Led to work on “Parent
Training”

Question 26

Weaknesses of Adlerian theory (3)

Answer 26

1) Little empirical evidence
2)Only one type of motivation for behaviour is included
3) Lacks detailed descriptions