Notes

Outline

Biography of Alfred Adler Born 1870’s Vienna 3rd of 7 children Birth of younger brother Resentment toward mother

Biography of Alfred Adler Adler’s childhood illnesses/ accidents 2x run over Age 5 pneumonia Death of younger brother Cemetery that wasn’t there

Biography of Alfred Adler Adler’s fear of death generalizes Diabetic patients & Alder’s practice Alder’s feelings of inferiority Childhood illnesses Fear of death Resentment toward older brother Quote from Adler

Biography of Alfred Adler Comparison of Freud, Jung, & Adler’s views of death Freud = skeptic Quote from Freud Jung = fascinated, focused on meaning Quote from Jung Demonstrates differences in worldviews of theorists How might Alder say we seek to overcome death?

Biography of Alfred Adler Adler’s relationship w/ Freud 1902 Freud invited Adler to meet Adler’s disagreements View of the human motive Pleasure/sexuality v. overcoming inferiority Freud’s concerns Quote from Freud

Adler’s Dissent w/ Freud Basic human motive Animalistic impulses v. strivings to overcome inferiority Push from within v. pull from the future

Adler’s Dissent w/ Freud Role of the ego Slave v. independent unit Adaptation to circumstances Freud – “shallowness” of Adler’s theory Quote from Freud

Adler’s Dissent w/ Freud Oedipus complex Emphasis on sexuality Emphasis on competition over strength/power Optimistic v. pessimistic view of human nature Quote from Freud

Adler’s Dissent w/ Freud “Freudian theory is the consistent psychology of the pampered child.” (Alder) Id demands Ego’s role “I made a pigmy great.” (Freud)

Summary of Adler’s Dissent w/ Freud Human motive Role of ego Optimistic v. pessimistic view of human nature

Inferiority-superiority Role of inferiority in human behavior Struggle to compensate Pleasure is not the ultimate goal Ultimate striving = superiority/perfection Optimism about human condition

Inferiority-superiority Organ inferiority Alder’s childhood illnesses Circus folk Organic weaknesses & diseases Principle of equilibrium Homeostasis (Cannon)

Inferiority-superiority How do you overcome perceptions of inferiority? Compensation – emphasizing other functions Overcompensation – focus on strengthening weaknesses

Inferiority-superiority Aggression drive Hostility over perceived helplessness Outward expression Inward expression

Inferiority-superiority Superiority motive Shifted emphasis from inferiority motive Societal sex roles Masculinity = power/superiority Femininity = weakness/inferiority Masculine protest – shape behaviors after powerful masculine figures

Inferiority-superiority Masculine protest & compensatory traits Inferiority characteristics (e.g. timidity, submissiveness, cowardliness) Compensatory traits (e.g. rebelliousness, courage, defiance)

Inferiority-superiority Case of William Wallace 13th Cent Scottish tribesman English repression Barbaric warrior v. English How would Alder explain Wallace’s behavior? What behaviors/characteristics support your conclusions?

Importance of Perceptions Vahinger’s emphasis on perceptions Subjective interpretation of thinker foremost Process is idiosyncratic Must understand individuals’ views of world Process is unconscious Teleological nature of personality Personality development is “pulled”

Importance of Perceptions Fictional finalism Individuals develop personalized prototypes of superiority Based on environmental models Begins in early childhood Quote from Adler

Integration of Adler’s Emphasis on Perceptions Personal experiences shape perceptions Cognitive prototypes Perceptions are extremely important in shaping how satisfy superiority drive Drive for superiority/perfection “pulls” behavior