Self Psychology (Individual Psychology)
Self Psychology, also known as Individual Psychology, is a psychological theory that was pioneered by Alfred Adler, an Austrian psychiatrist who broke away from Freud’s psychoanalytic school to develop his own approach.
Key Concepts and Inventor:
- Inventor: Alfred Adler (1870-1937).
- Main Figure: Alfred Adler remains the key figure, but modern proponents of Adlerian therapy continue to use his foundational ideas.
What is Self Psychology/Individual Psychology?
Adler believed that every individual strives for personal development and aims to overcome feelings of inferiority to reach superiority or success in life. This process is known as “striving for perfection” or “self-actualization.” A central part of Adler’s theory is the concept of the “inferiority complex,” which explains how feelings of inadequacy, when left unresolved, can influence behaviors.
Common Principles:
- Inferiority and Compensation: People inherently feel inferior, especially as children. These feelings lead to compensatory efforts to achieve success and mastery.
- Social Interest: Adler believed that mental health is tied to community feeling and social connectedness. Individuals strive not just for personal success, but also for the well-being of the society.
- Goal Orientation: Unlike Freud’s focus on the past, Adler emphasized that people are future-oriented and driven by goals.
Common and Bizarre Examples:
- Common Example: A person growing up in poverty may develop feelings of inferiority regarding their social standing. As a result, they may work tirelessly to achieve professional success and financial security to compensate for their earlier feelings of inadequacy.
- Bizarre Example: In extreme cases, people might overcompensate to the point of creating a fictional superiority. For instance, a person may exhibit extreme arrogance, delusions of grandeur, or even take on a “hero complex,” believing they are destined for greatness, regardless of actual achievements or abilities.
Greatest Achievement of Self Psychology:
One of the greatest achievements of Adlerian psychology is its focus on community feeling or social interest, which shifted the conversation in psychology from a purely individualistic perspective to a more socially conscious view. Adler emphasized that mental health and personal success are deeply intertwined with our ability to connect with others and contribute to society, influencing later humanistic psychology and positive psychology movements.
Greatest Mysterious Case:
One of the most curious cases in Adlerian psychology is the concept of overcompensation, seen in individuals who manifest extreme behaviors to compensate for feelings of inferiority. This phenomenon is sometimes linked to notorious historical figures, like Adolf Hitler, who had a modest background and is thought to have suffered from deep feelings of inadequacy, which he overcompensated for by seeking absolute power and control.
Conclusion:
Adler’s Self Psychology is a groundbreaking approach that emphasizes the individual’s ability to grow, the importance of social connections, and the role of compensation in human behavior. While its greatest achievement lies in its promotion of social interest, its exploration of extreme compensatory behaviors remains one of its most intriguing, and at times mysterious, aspects.
