Concepts of Adlerian Psychology

In the past articles I’ve given a very brief biography of Dr. Alfred Adler. Now we turn to look at some of his important psychological concepts. In doing so, we re-set the titles to “1”.

Individual Psychology is a mature psychological system with a wide range of concepts. It is one of the three classic depth or “psychodynamic” psychologies, the others being Freud’s psychoanalysis and Jungian Analytic psychology.

Freud took the view (common among medical personnel then and today, not to mention followers of the other two professions, law and religion) that there should be a sense of “mystery” between professional and lay-person. This is seen in the esoteric language of the profession. It is seen in the carefully maintained superiority of the doctor, the attorney, the minister or priest, a situation  designed to encourage inferiority. “Don’t ask me to explain," says the professional person. "You couldn’t possibly understand. I am well-educated, well-trained, and brilliant...you are, well, you are not..."

Freud saw psychoanalysis almost as his own religion, with himself as its pope. Or as a monarchy, with himself as the King of the Unconscious.

Adler, on the other hand, was a strong believer in social democracy and the equality of all persons. He believed this about the family, about men and women, and certainly about the doctor-patient relationship in the psychological consulting room. He did not want his approach to be a mystery. He wanted it to be available to all. Otherwise, how could it help improve their lives?

People came to Freud and he had them lie on a couch while he sat behind and to one side, out of sight. (This was important to Freud, who was basically shy and who kept people at a distance.)

But when people came to Adler, they found several chairs. Adler invited the patient to sit in one. Adler would bring up a chair so they sat almost knee to knee. He said, “It is a great mistake in the first session to assign the client a specific place; all patients want to sit on the ‘bench of repentance.’ Disturb the seating order; have a series of chairs; let the patient choose.” From the beginning they were equals, "in this together." Adler’s first task was to invite cooperation rather than competition.

Now then...some people question whether Adler’s concepts and methods should appear so openly, as they do in these articles. “Shouldn’t they be kept a secret? Isn’t their effectiveness weakened if the client knows about them? Isn’t therapy a mystery, with the therapist a bit like a magician?”

I think Adler would have dispensed with the therapy office if everyone could put his ideas to use on their own. He gave away his ideas in his popular books and public lectures.

In the following articles I will define Adlerian concepts and some of his methods. I hope that, in these Patch articles, I may suggest some ways for each of us to understand ourselves better. Again, if you'd like, I invite you to discuss the with me by email at bobhk@aol.com. (You MUST put “LEAP TALK” in the subject heading.)

Next time: Unity of personality; holism; “holistic psychology,” The defining Problem of Life.