Individual Psychology Comparing Adler\'s Theory

Individual Psychology

Comparing Adler's theory of "Safeguarding Tendencies" with a Biblical viewpoint

According to Adler, safeguarding tendencies are compensatory or defense mechanisms unconsciously used by people to deal with their deep-seated feelings of insecurity. For example, someone might use humor as a safeguarding tendency to avoid discussing their deeper resentment about their mother-in-law because the truth makes them uncomfortable. A man with an unhappy relationship with his wife and children may focus on making money and become a workaholic rather than openly and constructively deal with his personal issues at home. Adler wrote that all neurotic symptoms are created to safeguard an individual's fragile self-esteem (Feist & Feist, 2005: 78). Making excuses ("I'm too busy to talk right now"), aggression (sarcasm), and social withdrawal ("I can't come home for dinner because I have to work late") are all common safeguarding techniques.

In the Bible, using safeguarding can be seen in those characters that focus on making money or raising their social capital rather than dealing with real spiritual issues (like the money-changers of the temple), or monarchs such as Saul and Herod that use aggression and tyranny to mask their inadequacies as leaders. Depreciation of others, by hating those who advance innovative ideas, accusing others to hide one's own weaknesses and personal insecurities can be seen in the persecution of all persons in the Bible -- including those people who persecute Jesus.

Self-aggression rather than outward aggression is most often manifest in Bible in showing a degrading attitude towards one's own body. This is demonstrated the woman who commits adultery and in behavior of prostitutes. Jesus shows compassion to such women, and by showing respect to these individuals and rebuilding their self-esteem they find faith and a more positive approach to their lives -- perhaps this is what the Bible means when it is said that Jesus cast out demons from Mary Magdalene, encouraging her to follow Him. Self-hated as well as hatred of others can be a manifestation of an inner demon. Even Paul's sudden, blindness, if interpreted as psychosomatic might seem like hidden self-aggression. Persecuting Jesus was a way of persecuting himself, this is why a disembodied voice, much like the voice of the unconscious speaks to Paul and causes his conversion. Social withdrawal from the Christian community can be seen in Peter's denial, as Peter responds to societal pressure and fear of standing up to his convictions (Feist & Feist, 2005: 79). Thus the Gospel narratives provide many fertile examples of Adler's theories.