Paper no 5: Personality Theories Module no 11: Individual Psychology: Alfred Adler

Transcription

1 Web Links Psychology.pdf\ Suggested Readings Adler, A. (1956). The individual psychology of Alfred Adler: A systematic presentation of selections from his writings. (H. L. Ansbacher & R. R. Ansbacher, Eds.). New York: Basic Books. Ryckman, Richard M. (2004) Theories of personality (8th ed.), Belmont, CA, US: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning. Hall, Calvin S.; Lindzey, Gardner.(2003) Theories of personality. Hoboken, NJ, US: John Wiley & Sons Inc.

2 Time-Lines Timelines Image Description 1870 Alfred Adler was born on February 7th 1895 Received his medical degree from the University of Vienna 1897 Adler married Raissa Timofeivna Epstein Adler Established private practice in Vienna -Birth of first daughter, Valentine -Published two articles in Austria's "Medical News Bulletin" 1902 Sigmund Freud invited Adler to join the fledgling Wednesday Psychological Society.

3 1905 Published his article on A Study of Organ Inferiority 1911 Adler expelled from the Vienna Psychoanalytic Society under Freud's impetus and then forms his own group, initially called the Society for Free Psychoanalytic Inquiry 1913 Renamed his group from society for Free Psychoanalytic inquiry to The Society for Individual Psychology 1922 Published his paper on The Practice and Theory of Individual Psychology 1932 Professor at the Long Island College of Medicine, Adler's first full-time academic position in the United States 1937 Died, May 28th, Aberdeen, Scotland

4 Did You Know? Style of life tree THE STYLE OF LIFE TREE is a simplified graphic illustration of Alfred Adler's model of personality development. It is based on a chart that was originally conceived by Anthony Bruck and later modified by Henry Stein. Various components of trees are: 1) The FIVE ROOTS represent the formative period of early childhood influences in which the prototype of the style of life was adopted. Various roots are: -Health and Appearance include the influences of organ inferiority, disease, deformity, as well as unusual beauty or handsomeness. -Social and Economic Position of the Family would take into consideration the impact of poverty, wealth, and any other cultural or religious factors that might promote feelings of inferiority or superiority. -Parental Attitudes covers the effects of a wide spectrum of parent-child relationships. -Family Constellation explores the influence of birth order position -Gender Role may be a positive or negative influence, depending on the value suggested by the family and the culture. 2) The STYLE OF LIFE is the core repetitive pattern of thinking, feeling, and acting that characterizes the individual's unique attitude toward the tasks of life. Five subordinate attitudes may be identified. Image

5 -The Attitude Toward Self -The Attitude Toward Difficulties -The Attitude Toward Others -The Attitude Toward the Other Sex -The Attitude Toward Life 3) THREE TASKS OF LIFE are the usual challenges each adult is faced with in our culture, although Adler emphasized the three main life tasks: -Other People -Occupation -Love and Sex. Source: Did You Know? Description Adler developed the first holistic theory of personality, psychopathology, and psychotherapy linking it directly to a humanistic philosophy of living. His lectures and books for the general public are depicted by a crystal clear common sense and his journals and articles reveal an uncommon understanding of mental disorders, a deep insight into the art of healing, and a great inspiration for encouraging optimal human development. Adlerian theory and practice have proven especially productive and effective when applied to the growth and development of children. Adlerians believe that "a misbehaving child is a discouraged child" and that helping children to feel valued, significant, and competent is often the most effective strategy in coping with difficult child behaviors. Image Source: