Overview of the Great Psychologist Alfred Adler – Part 1

Key Books:

Alfred Adler’s key publications were:

• The Practice and Theory of Individual Psychology (1927)
• Understanding Human Nature (1927)
• What Life Could Mean to You (1931)

Books by other authors:

The Courage to be Disliked is a fantastic summary of Adler’s teaching. Written in an easy to digest manner. This book should be the first stop for anyone interested in Adler’s work.

Alfred Adler in a paragraph

Alfred Adler’s approach can feel confronting at first. His theories conceptualise one’s behaviours, emotions and personality all as choices that are focused on obtaining a goal. In this way, they are “functional” although people can be distressed by the adverse effects of such choices. This places radical responsibility and ownership on individuals to change their behaviour and responses to life. To make such changes we must have courage and bear the burden given to us. For example from Adler’s perspective anxiety is not a problem someone suffers from but an excuse which they have chosen to protect themselves from harsh realities. One might rely on their anxiety because it acts as an excuse for why we cannot achieve our goals; easier to blame the anxiety as the reason for not achieving greatness than face the fact that we might try and fail. Over-analysing the symptom leaves us at the whims of determinism and nihilism, Adler calls us to courageously act regardless of our circumstances.

Principles of the Adlerian School of Psychology (Individual Psychology)

Teleology not Aetiology

Freud’s view of the world was Aetiological (Cause and effect), things in the past have an impact on who we are today and we must rectify damage from the past to bring healing. Adler disagreed with this view and instead posited that the primary explanation of behaviour and emotions should not be the past but viewed in terms of the purpose or goal they serve, Teleology.

This seems simple enough but the implications of this are enormous and it is important every psychologist fully grasp what this means. This implies that individual mental illness is chosen (unconsciously or consciously) by the sufferer because it achieves the desired outcome. This can seem harsh to most people but it is the reason that Adlerian Psychology is often called the psychology of courage. Because it places radical responsibility on the individual. The application of this principle needs to be dealt with judiciously it can be wise to first build up an individual’s self-efficacy before explaining such a daunting concept.

Where this view aligns with other forms of psychology: Taking radical responsibility for one’s life, behaviours and emotions appears throughout the literature and psychoanalytic techniques. Viktor Frankl writes extensively and hopefully on the topic in his book Man’s Search for Meaning and it is a core component of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

The Will to Superiority

Our goals are structured under a Self-Ideal

We have many goals that are structured by our Self-Ideal. This is the person we wish to become, it points us to the future, to improve our lot in life and gain a more advantageous position. This ideal differs from person to person based on childhood experiences and modelling. Adler believed pursuing the ideal state is a human’s main emotional and behavioural driving force. He called this drive a “Will to Superiority”. This concept was heavily influenced by Nietzsche’s concept of the “Will to Power”.

Inferiority & Inferiority Complexes

People have feelings of Inferiority when comparing themselves to their Self-Ideal. This inferiority can encourage us to grow but sometimes an inferiority complex emerges which instead of facilitating growth it stops it.

An inferiority complex prevents development by acting as a sort of Aeteliological excuse. “Because of this I cannot”, “If I didn’t have this then I would be happy”, “I will be happy when such and such is achieved”. All progress is put out of reach from the individual and they begin to live what Adler called a “Life lie”. In this case instead of life being lived in the moment, healthily pursuing the ideal-self, life is viewed as a sort of preparation period leading to some end ideal point that is never achieved. We must have the courage to unstick ourselves from inferiority complexes and reengage with life.

People with an inferiority complex can seek superiority in dysfunctional ways. Some may seek control and domination of others through power grabs and uses of force we call this a Superiority Complex. Others may avoid taking responsibility and use their victimhood to control others behaviour.

And others may seek associations with those in powerful positions rather than seeking the positions themselves. The list goes on, Adler categorised healthy positive behaviours as Coping Behaviours and unhelpful behaviours Safeguarding Behaviours.

• Coping Behaviours – Positive
  • Direct Problem Solving
  • Growth towards goals
  • Compensation with strengths for areas of weakness
• Safeguarding Behaviours – Negative
  • Drinking
  • Anxiety and sickness
  • Distance Seeking
  • Disconnecting from the world
  • Defensiveness

Adler’s work is often called the psychology of courage because no matter what you have faced in your life up until now what you do today is what determines your life. Next week I will unravel some of the recommendations Adler has to individuals to help them cut through their inferiority complexes and courageously move forward. Until then, below is a fantastic summary of many of Adler’s teachings by The Academy of Ideas.