Adler’s Contribution:
Adler belongs to Freudian group. He has contributed a lot to psychoanalysis in its infancy: On some issues he differs from Freud. His system of thought is popularly known as ‘Individual Psychology’.
1. His concepts:
Adler emphasis on inborn instincts of man. He gives complete stress on the social factor in the development of individual’s personality. He opines that an individual can guide his own actions towards self-actualisation. According to him ‘will to power’ is the central force in the human behaviour.
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Adjustment, according to Adler, is of three types: to society, to vocation and to love. While adjusting to these situations, man has to be helped by others. He is also at times handicapped because of his past experiences. Child has a desire to grow, to dominant and to become superior to others.
Human desire of superiority is innate and it can be manifested in several ways in the life of an individual. For example a child who desires to become superior, sometimes feels inferior and compensates this in other areas.
2. Fictional Finalism:
The action of the human beings is guided by certain fictional ideas, which may not have any reality. Such ideas, refer to believe in life after death, believe in heaven, faith in God, etc. Such ideas influences the behaviour of an individual. This is known as fiction finalism.
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3. The Style of life:
The style of life is a unique quality of personality. It differs from individual to individual. We can reach the goal of our lives through many ways. One can reach the goal of life by developing social relation. Another person may reach the goal through educational and another person may reach the goal by the help of religion. These different ways are known as the style of life. The entire behaviour of a person is organised around the style of life. The style of life begins at an early age of the individual.
4. Social Interest:
Adler emphasizes on social participation of man. Thus man can develop social interest by helping others in the society. According to him social life is latent in man.