BIOGRAPHY OF ALFRED ADLER

psychotherapist

INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION

• Alfred Adler was born in Vienna in 1870 of a middle class family and died in Aberdeen, Scotland in 1937 while on a lecture tour.

• He received a medical degree in 1895 from the University of Vienna. At first he specialised in Ophthalmology and then, after a period of practice in general medicine, he became a psychiatrist.

• He was one of the charter members of the Vienna psychoanalytic society and later its president.

EARLY CHILDHOOD

* Borne on 7 February 1870 in Rudolfsheim in a village near Vienna, Austria He was the second of seven children of a Hungarian-born grain merchant.The Adlers were a musical family and Alfred was known for his singing voice.

Early childhood

• Although he was encouraged to pursue a career in Opera, in his childhood he suffered some illnesses and the death of a younger brother.

• These experiences contributed greatly to his early decision to become a physician or medical doctor.

CAREER AND MARRIAGE

• Adler’s early career was marked by enthusiasm for social reform, often expressed in articles in socialist newspapers.

• Later he married RaissaEpstein, a Russian student.

CAREER

His first professional publication was social-medical monograph (pamphlet) on the health of tailors.

In 1902, famed Austrian psychiatrist, Sigmund Freud invited Adler to join a small discussion group, which became the famous Vienna Psychoanalytic society.

FAMILY

* Father – Leopold– a middle-class Jewish grain merchant from Hungary

* Mother – Pauline – a hardworking homemaker

* Second born of eight children

* Was weak and sick during the first 5 years of his life

DEVELOPMENT OF HIS THEORY – HIS WORKS

* Published his most important work, “The Neurotic Constitution” in 1912

* His experience of World War I led him to develop that social interest & compassion could be the cornerstones of human motivation

DEVELOPMENT OF HIS THEORY – HIS WORKS

• Taught individual psychology at various universities, also as resident and visiting Professor for Medical Psychology

• Became America’s first popular psychologist

Adler’s Theory of Birth Order Characteristics

THEORY OF BIRTH ORDER

• ONLY CHILD

• OLDEST CHILD

• SECOND CHILD

• MIDDLE CHILD

• YOUNGEST CHILD

• TWIN CHILD

• GHOST CHILD

• ADOPTED CHILD

• WE ARE GOING TO KNOW ABOUT SOME OF THEM

ONLY CHILD

• Family Situation– Birth is a miracle– Parents have no previous experience– Retains 200% attention from both parents– May become rival of one parent– Can be over-protected and spoiled

• Child’s Characteristics– Likes being the center of adult attention– Often has difficulty sharing with siblings and peers– Prefers adult company and uses adult language

OLDEST CHILD

• psychologistFamily Situation• Dethroned by next child• Has to learn to share• Parent expectations are usually very high• Often given responsibility and expected to set an example

• Child’s Characteristics• May become authoritarian or strict• Feels power is his right• Can become helpful if encouraged• May turn to father after birth of next child

SECOND CHILD

• Family Situation

– He has a pacemaker

– There is always someone ahead

• Child’s Characteristics

– Is more competitive, wants to overtake older child

– May become a rebel or try to outdo everyone

– Competition can deteriorate into rivalry

MIDDLE CHILD

• Family Situation

– Is “sandwiched” in

– May feel squeezed out of a position of privilege and significance

• Child’s Characteristics

– May be even-tempered, “take it or leave it” attitude

– May have trouble finding a place or become a fighter of injustice

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