1. Alfred Adler
Neo-Freudian

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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)

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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.

11. Adler’s Birth Order Chart