Alfred Adler

Description: (Austrian Psychotherapist and Founder of the School of ‘Individual Psychology’)

Alfred Adler was a renowned physician and psychotherapist who contributed greatly to the field of human psychology. He is the founder of the school of Individual Psychology which considers each human being as an individual whole. He developed a holistic approach to the study of a person’s psychology, taking into account the overall environment the person is associated with. His methods greatly influenced the counselling and psychiatric strategies developed in the 20th century. The highly acclaimed doctor had decided quite early in life that he wanted to pursue medical profession. Bouts with a series of childhood diseases and the loss of a brother at a young age motivated him to become a physician. He started his career as an ophthalmologist but soon switched to general practice. During the course of his work he came into contact with the celebrated psychologist Sigmund Freud with whom he used to discuss ideas and opinions. However, the two great men’s ideas often conflicted and Adler broke away from Freud to establish an independent school of psychotherapy, The Adlerian School, whose main premise was the Individual Psychology. He was the first psychiatrist to understand the significance of the environment in molding a human being’s personality. He believed that the inferiority complex of individuals plays an important role in personality development.

Overview

Birthday February 7, 1870 (Aquarius)
Born In Austria
City Vienna, Austria
Died on May 28, 1937
Spouse/Ex- Raissa Epstein
Parents
Children Alexandra, Kurt

Did you know

What were Alfred Adler's main contributions to psychology? Alfred Adler's main contributions to psychology include the development of individual psychology, the concept of the inferiority complex, the importance of social interest, and the idea of striving for superiority.
How did Alfred Adler differ from Sigmund Freud in terms of their theories? Alfred Adler differed from Sigmund Freud in that he focused more on the individual's social context and the pursuit of personal goals, rather than solely on unconscious desires and drives.
What is the concept of the inferiority complex in Alfred Adler's theory? The concept of the inferiority complex in Adler's theory refers to an individual's feelings of inadequacy and insecurity that stem from early experiences of helplessness and inferiority.
How did Alfred Adler view the role of birth order in shaping personality? Alfred Adler believed that birth order played a significant role in shaping an individual's personality, with firstborns typically being more responsible and driven, middle children seeking attention, and youngest children being more carefree.
How did Alfred Adler's concept of social interest influence his approach to therapy? Alfred Adler's concept of social interest emphasized the importance of community and relationships in fostering mental health, leading him to focus on helping individuals develop a sense of belonging and purpose in therapy.
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