Alfred Adler Psychology
Alfred Adler Psychology
PSY:330 Theories of Personality
Jennifer Sullivan
Instructor Gourrier
January 16, 2011
Introduction Personality is what makes everyone unique in his or her own way. Some people are extroverts, some introverts, witty, or just plain quiet. “The term personality comes from the Latin word persona, which means mask. Those defining personality as a mask view personality, as one is public self. It is that aspect of ourselves we select to display to the world” (Hergenhahn, 2007, pg.1). Many different theorists out there believe that they have the best theory about personalities. Some believe that genetics, environment, or even the unconscious determine what our personalities will grow to be. Alfred Adler was one of those theorists who believed he had the best theories for personality. “Alfred Adler’s theory is related to humanism because of its concern with the positive relationships among humans. His theory is related to existentialism because of its concern with questions concerning the meaning of human existence. Adler also believed that human are future oriented, free to determine his or her own fate, and concerned with the meaning of life. In the development of personality, he came up with three research methodologies that played a role in the development: birth order, first memories, and dreams. Through these factors, he came up with three major theories: feelings of inferiority, fictional goals and life styles, and social interest.
Biography
Alfred Adler was born on February 7, 1870 in Vienna, Austria. His was father was a moderately successful grain merchant. His childhood would prove to be a hard one, but it would be one that would shape his future. “Sickly as a child, he did not walk until age four because of rickets; at age five Adler developed pneumonia and was diagnosed as unlikely to survive. He did recover, but was so profoundly shaken by the experience that he resolved to become a doctor himself someday in order
PSY:330 Theories of Personality
Jennifer Sullivan
Instructor Gourrier
January 16, 2011
Introduction Personality is what makes everyone unique in his or her own way. Some people are extroverts, some introverts, witty, or just plain quiet. “The term personality comes from the Latin word persona, which means mask. Those defining personality as a mask view personality, as one is public self. It is that aspect of ourselves we select to display to the world” (Hergenhahn, 2007, pg.1). Many different theorists out there believe that they have the best theory about personalities. Some believe that genetics, environment, or even the unconscious determine what our personalities will grow to be. Alfred Adler was one of those theorists who believed he had the best theories for personality. “Alfred Adler’s theory is related to humanism because of its concern with the positive relationships among humans. His theory is related to existentialism because of its concern with questions concerning the meaning of human existence. Adler also believed that human are future oriented, free to determine his or her own fate, and concerned with the meaning of life. In the development of personality, he came up with three research methodologies that played a role in the development: birth order, first memories, and dreams. Through these factors, he came up with three major theories: feelings of inferiority, fictional goals and life styles, and social interest.
Biography
Alfred Adler was born on February 7, 1870 in Vienna, Austria. His was father was a moderately successful grain merchant. His childhood would prove to be a hard one, but it would be one that would shape his future. “Sickly as a child, he did not walk until age four because of rickets; at age five Adler developed pneumonia and was diagnosed as unlikely to survive. He did recover, but was so profoundly shaken by the experience that he resolved to become a doctor himself someday in order
References: Adam Phillips. (2007, December 1). Review: Arts: In your dreams: The story of a boy whose magic beans sprout into a giant stalk . . . what does a Freudian reading of Jack and the Beanstalk tell us about growing up, getting the girl - and keeping your mother happy, asks pychotherapist Adam Phillips. The Guardian,p. 12. Retrieved December 21, 2010, from ProQuest Newsstand. (Document ID: 1391551211). Hergenhahn, B. & Olson, M. (2007). Theories of Personality 7th Ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ The Guardian and Observer guides to Better relationships Part two: Family : Brothers and sisters Does birth order define who you are? (2010, February 14). The Observer,24. Retrieved December 18, 2010, from ProQuest Newsstand. (Document ID: 1963647981). http://allpsych.com/personalitysynopsis/adler.html http://www.nndb.com/people/256/000097962/ http://www.theglaringfacts.com/alfred-adler-individual-psychology/