Alfred Adler Neo-Freudian

Adler: 1870-1937 Individual Psychology One of the first scientist to break from Freud. Background: extremely sickly as a child. He was able to overcome his illness/condition How is he deferent from Freud: Adler placed more emphasis on the importance of conscious. Sexual drives do NOT play a role in personality development.

Feelings of inferiority During infancy/childhood/unconscious. Child is helpless and dependent on others. Medical/physical issues Feelings motivate people to compensate for their real or imagined weaknesses. Personality styles: Striving for Superiority= the desire to improve oneself, master challenges, and move toward self-perfection. “Driven” Inferiority complex= feelings of inferiority are excessive, general sense of inadequacy. Typically, unable to strive for master and self-improvement.

Some people overcompensate/feeling inferior Superiority Complex: exaggerating one’s accomplishments/”one-up ya”, try really hard to cover up their weaknesses. Denying their limitations.

Birth Order First psychologist to study the topic Important factors to consider when studying birth order: Spacing Total number of children Changing circumstances of the parents over time

Only child Birth views as a miracle Retains 200% attention from both parents. Can be over-protected and/or spoiled Like to be the center of adult attention Prefers adult company Learn to depend on themselves

Firstborn “Dethroned by next child” Has to learn to share Parents are new to parenting…try out parenting techniques on this child Parents expectations are high May become “de-facto mom/dad” to younger siblings Personality: Serious, conscientious, goal-oriented, organized, responsible, jealous, high-achieving, and competitive. Later in life….fear of losing top position(s)

Middleborn/second born Have diverse range of personalities Habits motivated by the fact that they have never been truly in the spotlight Often have a sense of not fully belonging Fight to receive attention from parents/others For example, Tend to have fewer pictures in the family photo album/compared to first born May lack drive Natural mediators/avoid conflict/very loyal to friends, etc. Even-temper

Youngest/baby “entertainer of the family” Pampered more Hand me downs Have several moms/dads Outgoing/charmer Never dethroned May become aggressive/manipulative if they perceive that others are being overbearing or bossy

Ghost Child Born after the death of a child…..miscarriage, stillborn, death of a child, etc. Living child has a “ghost” ahead of him/her Mother is very over protective/spoils the child. Child may exploit mother’s over protectiveness, may rebel, and may feel resentment because of the comparison to an idealized memory.

Adler’s Birth Order Chart