marlier.proAdlerian
Psychotherapy: Family Constellation, Discouragement, Lifestyle,
Superiority, Neurotic Symptoms, Psychological Position, Social
Interest, and Adlerian therapy
September 3, 2003
Although one of Freud's earlier associates, Alfred Adler broke with him in 1911, because of variances in their opinions on the origin of neurosis. Adler had a holistic view of individuals, and believed that it is social interest, rather than a superego or the unconscious, that determines the personality development.
Family Constellation
The family members make a constellation with variable geometry according to the number and position of children. This microcosm is the first social system in which the personality of the little child develops. The child's position (first-born, second born, etc.) affects the parents' behavior and the child's perception of self and others. The mother is the child's interface with social life. Proper maternal contact is responsible for the child's development of social interest. Proper father's role provides feelings of courag and self-confidence. Children must receive proper acknowledgement and encouragement from parents and siblings.
Discouragement
During childhood, the individual faces a formidable environment, and feels a deep sense of inferiority because of his small size, physical weakness and lack of knowledge and power, while and his birth order and his parents behavior also play a big part in the development of his personality. If the parents' behavior is poor, the child will not be able to overcome his normal feelings of inferiority, and will develop discouragement. Eventually, he will develop a neurotic style of life, and remain focused on his basic needs for attention and control.
Style of Life
The individual's style of life is his own more or less conscious choice. This is the way the individual copes with his feeling of inferiority. The style of life consists of the individual's chosen life goals, generally built around themes related to love, work, and friendship, and the methods used to reach them. Thus, the psychic life of a person is determined by the explicit and implicit pursuit of his goals (teleology).
Psychological Position
This is where the parents' attitude towards the child is likely to influence his later behavior. If the child is neglected, he will most probably develop a feeling of discouragement, while, if overprotected (pampered), he will later try to submit his family to his wills by using tricks such as being sick or helpless. But in addition, if a child who is actually pampered should feel neglected, the probable result will be a neglected life style (and vice versa). "It is not the child's experiences which dictate his actions; it is the conclusions which he draws from his experiences." (Adler, 1931/1958, p. 123). This is the psychological position rather than the real position which counts for the development of one's personality.
Superiority
The primary goal underlying all human behavior is that of striving for superiority, or rather self-perfection, as a consequence for the child's feelings of inferiority in an overwhelming environment. Healthy strivings for superiority are guided by social interest, and the need to become superior to one's environment. Everyone grows up with at least some feelings of inferiority which may be a stimulation for the search of some forms of social compensation. If the compensation is sufficient to satisfy this need for superiority, the individual will have a healthy psychic life.
Neurotic Symptoms
If the feelings of helplessness is maintained during childhood and becomes overwhelming as a consequence of poor parental behavior, or physical disabilities, the person is discouraged, which results into an inferiority complex, which in turn is compensated by a superiority complex, a pathological feeling of power and arrogance, a lack of social interest and an attempt to evade one's problems rather than resolve them, and is characterized by the ignorance of the welfare of others, the neurotic tendency to rule, lean on, or avoid others (Adler, 1935/1979, p. 68). Being someone who's recognized as important by society becomes the individual's goal, and any style of life, or strategy, even anti-social, can be used to reach it. The four “mistaken goals” of people as they search for their place in the scheme of life are: (a) excessive desire for attention, (b) inappropriate need for power, (c) pursuit of revenge, and finally, (d) assumption of a position of inadequacy. (Dreikurs, 1992)
Adlerian Therapy versus Counseling
Adler's theory focused on social forces and his therapy, while still concerned with the analysis of early childhood, was also interested in overcoming the inferiority complex through positive social interaction.
Adler considers psychotherapy as an exercise in cooperation (1931/1958) between the therapist and the patient, friendly relationship between equals. A therapist's task would be to uncover the goal or goals behind the patient's behavior by understanding the description of the problem and uncovering the reactions of “fellow human beings” (Mosak, 2000, p. 59) to the patient's misbehavior, and then to provide clues so that the patient can be active in learning better roles and setting new goals.
Although the Adlerian therapist may give hints to his patient to help him uncover the way to this improvement, it is different from counseling in that the counselor, who is an expert in one or several domains of life (marriage, education, etc.), gives “orders”, recipes, suggestions that the patient should follow if he wants to improve his psychic condition. The therapist is not an expert of any particular field, but rather a facilitator of the patient's efforts towards improvement.
Conclusion
Adlerian therapy may take numerous aspects, such as Long-term therapy; Time-limited therapy; One-to-one psychotherapy; Multiple psychotherapy; Group therapy; Psychodrama; Marriage counseling; Child-guidance; Family meetings; Renegociation; Socialization.
While it was neglected for a long period of time, it is increasingly recognized and taught, not only in institutes but also in universities. There is an increasing amount of scholarly literature on Adlerian psychology, and Adlerians simultaneously focus more and more on current issues of modern society: war, poverty, conflicts, violence, substance abuse and religion.
References
Adler, A. (1979). Typology of meeting life problems. In H. L. Ansbacher & R. R. Ansbasher (Eds.), Superiority and Social Interest: A Collection of Alfred Adler's Later Writings (pp. 66-70). New York: Norton. (Original work published 1935)
Adler, A. (1958). What life should mean to you. New York: Capricorn Books. (Original work published 1931)
Dreikurs, R. (1992). The Challenge of Parenthood. New York: Penguin Group.
Mosak, H. H. (2000). Adlerian Psychotherapy. In E. J. Corsini & D. Wedding (Eds.), Current Psychotherapies (6th ed., pp. 54-98). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.
September 3, 2003
Although one of Freud's earlier associates, Alfred Adler broke with him in 1911, because of variances in their opinions on the origin of neurosis. Adler had a holistic view of individuals, and believed that it is social interest, rather than a superego or the unconscious, that determines the personality development.
Family Constellation
The family members make a constellation with variable geometry according to the number and position of children. This microcosm is the first social system in which the personality of the little child develops. The child's position (first-born, second born, etc.) affects the parents' behavior and the child's perception of self and others. The mother is the child's interface with social life. Proper maternal contact is responsible for the child's development of social interest. Proper father's role provides feelings of courag and self-confidence. Children must receive proper acknowledgement and encouragement from parents and siblings.
Discouragement
During childhood, the individual faces a formidable environment, and feels a deep sense of inferiority because of his small size, physical weakness and lack of knowledge and power, while and his birth order and his parents behavior also play a big part in the development of his personality. If the parents' behavior is poor, the child will not be able to overcome his normal feelings of inferiority, and will develop discouragement. Eventually, he will develop a neurotic style of life, and remain focused on his basic needs for attention and control.
Style of Life
The individual's style of life is his own more or less conscious choice. This is the way the individual copes with his feeling of inferiority. The style of life consists of the individual's chosen life goals, generally built around themes related to love, work, and friendship, and the methods used to reach them. Thus, the psychic life of a person is determined by the explicit and implicit pursuit of his goals (teleology).
Psychological Position
This is where the parents' attitude towards the child is likely to influence his later behavior. If the child is neglected, he will most probably develop a feeling of discouragement, while, if overprotected (pampered), he will later try to submit his family to his wills by using tricks such as being sick or helpless. But in addition, if a child who is actually pampered should feel neglected, the probable result will be a neglected life style (and vice versa). "It is not the child's experiences which dictate his actions; it is the conclusions which he draws from his experiences." (Adler, 1931/1958, p. 123). This is the psychological position rather than the real position which counts for the development of one's personality.
Superiority
The primary goal underlying all human behavior is that of striving for superiority, or rather self-perfection, as a consequence for the child's feelings of inferiority in an overwhelming environment. Healthy strivings for superiority are guided by social interest, and the need to become superior to one's environment. Everyone grows up with at least some feelings of inferiority which may be a stimulation for the search of some forms of social compensation. If the compensation is sufficient to satisfy this need for superiority, the individual will have a healthy psychic life.
Neurotic Symptoms
If the feelings of helplessness is maintained during childhood and becomes overwhelming as a consequence of poor parental behavior, or physical disabilities, the person is discouraged, which results into an inferiority complex, which in turn is compensated by a superiority complex, a pathological feeling of power and arrogance, a lack of social interest and an attempt to evade one's problems rather than resolve them, and is characterized by the ignorance of the welfare of others, the neurotic tendency to rule, lean on, or avoid others (Adler, 1935/1979, p. 68). Being someone who's recognized as important by society becomes the individual's goal, and any style of life, or strategy, even anti-social, can be used to reach it. The four “mistaken goals” of people as they search for their place in the scheme of life are: (a) excessive desire for attention, (b) inappropriate need for power, (c) pursuit of revenge, and finally, (d) assumption of a position of inadequacy. (Dreikurs, 1992)
Adlerian Therapy versus Counseling
Adler's theory focused on social forces and his therapy, while still concerned with the analysis of early childhood, was also interested in overcoming the inferiority complex through positive social interaction.
Adler considers psychotherapy as an exercise in cooperation (1931/1958) between the therapist and the patient, friendly relationship between equals. A therapist's task would be to uncover the goal or goals behind the patient's behavior by understanding the description of the problem and uncovering the reactions of “fellow human beings” (Mosak, 2000, p. 59) to the patient's misbehavior, and then to provide clues so that the patient can be active in learning better roles and setting new goals.
Although the Adlerian therapist may give hints to his patient to help him uncover the way to this improvement, it is different from counseling in that the counselor, who is an expert in one or several domains of life (marriage, education, etc.), gives “orders”, recipes, suggestions that the patient should follow if he wants to improve his psychic condition. The therapist is not an expert of any particular field, but rather a facilitator of the patient's efforts towards improvement.
Conclusion
Adlerian therapy may take numerous aspects, such as Long-term therapy; Time-limited therapy; One-to-one psychotherapy; Multiple psychotherapy; Group therapy; Psychodrama; Marriage counseling; Child-guidance; Family meetings; Renegociation; Socialization.
While it was neglected for a long period of time, it is increasingly recognized and taught, not only in institutes but also in universities. There is an increasing amount of scholarly literature on Adlerian psychology, and Adlerians simultaneously focus more and more on current issues of modern society: war, poverty, conflicts, violence, substance abuse and religion.
References
Adler, A. (1979). Typology of meeting life problems. In H. L. Ansbacher & R. R. Ansbasher (Eds.), Superiority and Social Interest: A Collection of Alfred Adler's Later Writings (pp. 66-70). New York: Norton. (Original work published 1935)
Adler, A. (1958). What life should mean to you. New York: Capricorn Books. (Original work published 1931)
Dreikurs, R. (1992). The Challenge of Parenthood. New York: Penguin Group.
Mosak, H. H. (2000). Adlerian Psychotherapy. In E. J. Corsini & D. Wedding (Eds.), Current Psychotherapies (6th ed., pp. 54-98). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.
Le contenu du site www.marlier.pro by Nathalie Marlier est mis à disposition selon les termes
de la licence Creative Commons Paternité-Pas d'Utilisation Commerciale-Pas de Modification 2.0 France.
Basé(e) sur une oeuvre figurant sur le site www.marlier.pro.