Alfred Adler
Individual Psychology
Biography
Early Life and Background
Born on February 7, 1870, in Rudolfsheim near Vienna.
His mother, Pauline, was a homemaker; father, Leopold, a Jewish grain merchant.
Suffered from poor health as a child; nearly died of pneumonia at age 5.
Motivated to become a physician due to his health struggles and the death of his
younger brother.
Sibling Rivalry
Unhappy competition with his healthier older brother, Sigmund.
Continued rivalry into adulthood; Sigmund became a successful businessman.
Comparison with Freud
Both came from Viennese Jewish families but were not devoutly religious.
Freud was conscious of his Jewishness and felt persecuted; Adler converted to
Protestantism but was essentially agnostic.
Both had a younger brother who died in infancy, affecting them profoundly but
differently.
Education and Early Career
Attended elementary school without distinction; struggled in Gymnasium.
Became a physician despite academic challenges; fulfilled military duty in Hungarian
army.
Initially specialized in ophthalmology, later shifted to psychiatry and general
medicine.
Association with Freud
Met Freud in late 1902, joined the Wednesday Psychological Society.
Never considered Freud as his mentor; had differing views on psychoanalysis.
Published "Study of Organ Inferiority and Its Psychical Compensation" in 1907,
diverging from Freud's emphasis on sexuality.
Formation of Individual Psychology
Believed drive for superiority was more fundamental than sexuality.
Resigned from Freud's Psychoanalytic Society in 1911 and formed the Society for
Individual Psychology.
, Emphasized social interest and compassion as core human motivations.
Impact of World War I
Financial difficulties; borrowed money from his brother.
Adjusted his theories, emphasizing social interest over aggression and sexuality.
Established child guidance clinics and trained teachers post-war.
Career in the United States
Taught individual psychology at Columbia University and the New School for Social
Research.
Became a permanent resident of the U.S. in 1932; held a position at Long Island
College of Medicine.
Admired Americans for their optimism and open-mindedness.
Personal Life
Married Raissa Epstein, an independent Russian feminist, in 1897.
Had four children: Alexandra and Kurt (both psychiatrists), Valentine (died as a
political prisoner), and Cornelia (aspired to be an actress).
Passionate about music, art, and literature; used examples from literary works in his
practice.
Death
Suffered from chest pains in early 1937; ignored medical advice to rest.
Died of a heart attack on May 28, 1937, in Aberdeen, Scotland.
Freud's sarcastic remark upon hearing of Adler's death highlighted their long-
standing rivalry.
Introduction to Adlerian Theory
People are born with weak, inferior bodies, leading to feelings of inferiority and
dependence on others.
A feeling of unity with others is inherent in people and is the ultimate standard for
psychological health.
A. Striving for Success or Superiority
The primary dynamic force behind people's behavior
Adler reduced all motivation to the drive for success or superiority.
Physical deficiencies and feelings of inferiority from childhood motivate this striving.
Two (2) Types of Striving:
Psychologically Unhealthy Psychologically Healthy
Individuals Individuals
Strive for personal superiority Seek success for all
over others. humanity, driven by social
interest.
Individual Psychology
Biography
Early Life and Background
Born on February 7, 1870, in Rudolfsheim near Vienna.
His mother, Pauline, was a homemaker; father, Leopold, a Jewish grain merchant.
Suffered from poor health as a child; nearly died of pneumonia at age 5.
Motivated to become a physician due to his health struggles and the death of his
younger brother.
Sibling Rivalry
Unhappy competition with his healthier older brother, Sigmund.
Continued rivalry into adulthood; Sigmund became a successful businessman.
Comparison with Freud
Both came from Viennese Jewish families but were not devoutly religious.
Freud was conscious of his Jewishness and felt persecuted; Adler converted to
Protestantism but was essentially agnostic.
Both had a younger brother who died in infancy, affecting them profoundly but
differently.
Education and Early Career
Attended elementary school without distinction; struggled in Gymnasium.
Became a physician despite academic challenges; fulfilled military duty in Hungarian
army.
Initially specialized in ophthalmology, later shifted to psychiatry and general
medicine.
Association with Freud
Met Freud in late 1902, joined the Wednesday Psychological Society.
Never considered Freud as his mentor; had differing views on psychoanalysis.
Published "Study of Organ Inferiority and Its Psychical Compensation" in 1907,
diverging from Freud's emphasis on sexuality.
Formation of Individual Psychology
Believed drive for superiority was more fundamental than sexuality.
Resigned from Freud's Psychoanalytic Society in 1911 and formed the Society for
Individual Psychology.
, Emphasized social interest and compassion as core human motivations.
Impact of World War I
Financial difficulties; borrowed money from his brother.
Adjusted his theories, emphasizing social interest over aggression and sexuality.
Established child guidance clinics and trained teachers post-war.
Career in the United States
Taught individual psychology at Columbia University and the New School for Social
Research.
Became a permanent resident of the U.S. in 1932; held a position at Long Island
College of Medicine.
Admired Americans for their optimism and open-mindedness.
Personal Life
Married Raissa Epstein, an independent Russian feminist, in 1897.
Had four children: Alexandra and Kurt (both psychiatrists), Valentine (died as a
political prisoner), and Cornelia (aspired to be an actress).
Passionate about music, art, and literature; used examples from literary works in his
practice.
Death
Suffered from chest pains in early 1937; ignored medical advice to rest.
Died of a heart attack on May 28, 1937, in Aberdeen, Scotland.
Freud's sarcastic remark upon hearing of Adler's death highlighted their long-
standing rivalry.
Introduction to Adlerian Theory
People are born with weak, inferior bodies, leading to feelings of inferiority and
dependence on others.
A feeling of unity with others is inherent in people and is the ultimate standard for
psychological health.
A. Striving for Success or Superiority
The primary dynamic force behind people's behavior
Adler reduced all motivation to the drive for success or superiority.
Physical deficiencies and feelings of inferiority from childhood motivate this striving.
Two (2) Types of Striving:
Psychologically Unhealthy Psychologically Healthy
Individuals Individuals
Strive for personal superiority Seek success for all
over others. humanity, driven by social
interest.
