Adler Please Locate 6 Scholarly Journals Alfred

ADLER

Please locate 6 scholarly journals

Alfred Adler: A short literature review

Alfred Alder is one of the most noteworthy early psychologists to break from the Freudian model and to provide a new way of conceptualizing the human consciousness beyond the Freudian model of repression. Alfred's psychoanalytic theory developed as a "reaction to Freud's theories on the development of the self. Adler split with Freud over the centrality of sexuality in the formation of personality (Dewey, 1991). In contrast to Freud, Adler expressed the view that human behavior is holistic (nonreductive), ideological (goal-driven), and socially oriented" (Peluso et al. 2004). Adler believed that based on family relationships, by the time a child is 6, he or she has developed a 'style of life' through which he or she interacts with the world. Key to developing normally was developing a social interest, or way of relating to others in a manner that affirms the self. Individuals with a high social interest "have an optimistic philosophy of life, are energized, motivated, and involved, have well-developed coping skills, and tend to perceive tough issues as challenges rather than overwhelming problems" (Peluso et al. 2004).

Alder understood 'style of life' as a way of setting personality priorities. These ways of coping can be either positive or negative and include "pleasing, achieving, outdoing, detaching, avoiding" (Ashby et al. 1998). They are often a way of "achieving a sense of mastery over chaos and fear" (Ashby et al1998). These personality priorities have now been defined empirically and are measured using an instrument called The Langenfeld Inventory of Personality Priorities (LIPP). Results from the LIPP are used to aid Adlerian psychologists to better understand the client's psyche (Ashby et al. 1998). The ability to use such scientific methods have allowed Adler to remain popular amongst clinicians, even while classical Freudianism has fallen out of favor because of its inability to be scientifically validated or falsified.

Another reason for the popularity of Alder lies in what many see as the uniquely relevant application of his theories to the competitive culture of the United States. The United States is characterized by its prioritization upon a striving for social superiority. Adler believed that striving for social position was not necessarily a bad thing and was one of the primary forces driving the human psyche. Individuals who develop a high level of social interest are capable of "healthy striving" but those who develop "pervasive feelings of inferiority and failure" either try to dominate others are become passive and depressive to assert their ego (Stewart 2010). Adler's view of the self is fundamentally "self-deterministic" -- the individual's perceptions create his or her reality (Willis 2004). This strong emphasis on free will -- the individual can freely choose his or her coping strategy, and strive to change ingrained behavior patterns -- has also contributed to his popularity in the United States.

Above all, Adler stressed love as the primary way to heal the individual and enable him or her to develop more positive coping mechanisms and a more affirmative view of the self. He also stressed the importance of human beings to form a connection with others, versus social isolation. This concept likewise fits in with many of the current preoccupations of therapists, given that there is a fear that our culture is growing increasingly atomized and disconnected Adlerian theory can be integrated into modern multicultural therapy, given its stress on the need to understand individuals in their social context. A sense of belonging to a group is central to a person's positive sense of self and development of healthy striving and social interest (Comstock et al. 2008).