Alfred Adler
1870-1937
Biography
- Born on February 7th, 1870 in the suburbs of Vienna.
- Adler was diagnosed with Rickets and was not able to walk until the age of 4, which inspired to become a physician.
- Graduated in 1895 from the University of Vienna with his medical degree and met his wife
- In 1907 Adler switched to psychiatry and agreed with Freud's discussions.
Theories
- Adler says, "when we feel encouraged, we feel capable and appreciated and will generally act in a connected and cooperative way. When we are discouraged, we may act in unhealthy ways by competing, withdrawing, or giving up. It is in finding ways of expressing and accepting encouragement, respect, and social interest that help us feel fulfilled and optimistic."
- His theory has been proven productive in the development in children. They believe a "misbehaving child, is a discouraged child."
- Alderian Psychology focuses on people's efforts to recompense their self-perceived inferiority to others.
- He calls his theory Individual Psychology because he believed each person was unique and no past theories applied to all people.
Sigman Freud
Rudolph Reitler
They began meeting weekly known as “Wednesday Night Meetings” that eventually grew to begin the psychoanalytic movement. Together, they formed the Vienna Psychoanalytic Society, of which Adler was the first president.
Wilhem Stekel
More Info
- Instead of the stereotype couch he preferred two chairs to talk with people.
- He focused on the family dynamic, with a large focus on parenting and family constellation, to be a preventive measure to prevent possible future psychological problems.
- Many of his concepts are still brought about through the Adler School of Professional Psychology even though they were developed nearly a century ago.
Adler
References
- About Alfred Adler. (2014). : History: About: Adler School of Professional Psychology. Retrieved from https://www.adler.edu/page/about/history/about-alfred-adler
- Alfred Adler: Theory and Application. (2014). Practical Psychology, Inspiring Change. Retrieved from http://www.alfredadler.edu/about/theory
- Fisher, M. (2001). Alfred Adler. Psychology History. Retrieved from http://www.muskingum.edu/~psych/psycweb/history/adler.htm