Alfred Adler Essay

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Alfred Adler It could be understood that Adler’s theories stem from is experiences as a working physician. Through this work he had the opportunity to study a person’s strengths and weaknesses which, led to his organ inferiority theory. This theory was based on the organ inferiority deemed as illness, physical handicaps and the person’s personality and self-image (Goodwin, 2008). Alfred Alder, Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud all shared the same theories regarding personality. Alder refuted Freud’s ideals of separation of Id (represents the human’s basic drives), Ego (represents the pleasure-seeking desires put upon by society), and Superego (represents cultural values and norms within the individual) (Macionis, 2007). Aldler broke away from Freud because he did not believe of the three separation of Freud’s Id, Ego. and Supersgo. Adler believed in the individual, hence his theory of :individual psychology.” The individual is most concerned with control of their entire life not just a portion (Goodwin, 2008). Alder and Jung both desented from Freud in 1913 and in turn Freud cancelled their affliation to the inner circle (Goodwin, 2008). It has been stated by Peluso 2008, “It is perhaps as ironic testimony to the power of his ideas that in the opening decade of the 21st century, Adler’s theory seems to resonate better with the current zeitgeist than it did in the opening decade of the 20th century, when it was developed” (p. 505). Freud was very spiteful of Adler’s accomplishments even to the point of being overwhelmed with glee due to the fact that Adler died prior to him. But who really had the upper hand in the development of “individual psychology” (Goodwin, 2008). Adler’s work can rightfully be critized as the “cornerstone” of today’s psychology. References Goodwin, C. (2008). A History of Modern Psychology. (3rd, Ed.) Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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