Individual Psychology

Individual Psychology

Individual psychology is a Psycho-dynamic personality theory that was developed by Alfred Alder in opposition to Freud’s beliefs on human motivation.  Sigmund Freud believed that all human motivation was driven by sex and aggression but Adler did not agree, he believed that humans were “motivated mostly by social influences and their striving for superiority or success; secondly, Freud assumed that people have little or no choice in shaping their personality, whereas Adler believed that people are largely responsible for who they are” (Feist & Feist, 2009 p.65).   Adler’s theory suggests that individual’s personality was developed by the meaning that was given to their experience because “the building material of personality is provided by heredity and environment, but the creative power shapes this material and puts it to use” (Feist & Feist, 2009 p. 95).    Individual psychology “considers the individual as a whole and the influence of social interactions on the development of personality” ("Individual Psychology," 1993).

Interpersonal “refers to relations with others” ("interpersonal," 2004) and according to individual psychology “individuals develop patterns early in life through interactions with their families, most importantly their parents” (Schwartz & Waldo, 2003).  The basis of individual psychology is to show how an individual’s behavior relies on their social situation through compensation, resignation, overcompensation, and inferiority or superiority matters.  Individual psychology influences interpersonal relationships because the theory is based on how individuals interact with others in their environment and what affect those relationships have on their way of living.  Individual psychology states that an individual’s way of living is “the characteristic way in which individuals learns in their families of origin to pursue social significance in interpersonal relationships” (Schwartz & Waldo, 2003).  Individual psychology classifies human behavior as being focused on and motivated for importance and having interpersonal relationships, and avoids the feelings of inferiority, therefore it can be concluded that individual psychology plays a major role in giving meaning to interpersonal relationships.

 References

Feist, J., & Feist, G. (2009). Theories of personality (7th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw Hill.

Individual Psychology. (1993). Bloomsbury Guide to Human Thought. Retrieved from http://www.credoreference.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/entry/bght/individual_psychology

Schwartz, J. P., & Waldo, M. (2003). Interpersonal manifestations of lifestyle: Individual psychology integrated with interpersonal theory. Journal of Mental Health Counseling. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/198794957?accountid=458

interpersonal. (2004). A Dictionary of Sociolinguistics. Retrieved from http://www.credoreference.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/entry/edinburghds/interpersonal