Alderian Theory

Alderian Theory
 Alderian theory focuses on social
interests as well as the
purposefulness of behavior and the
importance of developing a healthy
style of life.
The therapeutic approach that has
grown out of theory is internationally
popular.
Founders /Developers
 Alfred Adler (1870-1937) was the
founder of the Adlerian approach to
counseling , also known as Individual
Psychology .
 Individual psychology waned in
popularity after his death but was
revitalized by Rudolph Dreikurs ,
Manford Sonstegard , Oscar Cristensen,
Raymond Corsini, Donald Dinkmeyer,
and Thomas Sweeney , among others.
View of Human Nature
 A central idea for Adler in regard to
human nature is that people are
primarily motivated by social interest
that is , a feeling of being connected
to society as a part of the social
whole, an active interest in and
empathy with others , as well as a
need and willingness to contribute to
the general social good.
 Adler’s theory holds that conscious
aspects of behavior , rather than the
unconscious, are central to the
development of personality .
 A major Alderian tenet is the people
strive to become successful; a
process he called striving for
perfection or completeness.
 There is also tendency for each person
initially to feel inferior to others .If this
feeling is not overcome, the person
develops an inferiority complex.
 In contrast, a person who
overcompensates for feelings of
inferiority develops a superiority
complex, which is what Adler also
described as a neurotic fiction that is
unproductive.
 Adler believed that people are as
influenced by future goals as by past
causes.
 His theory also places considerable
emphasis on birth order; those who
share ordinal birth positions may
have more in common with one
another than siblings from the same
family.
 In addition to birth order, the family
environment is important to a
person’s development , particularly in
the first five years of life.
 Overall , Alderians believe there are
three main life tasks: society, work
and sexuality.
 Alder also mentions two other
challenges of life, although he does
not fully develop them; spirituality
and coping with self.
 According to Alderian theory , it is
crucial to emphasize that, when
facing any life task, courage is
required.
Role of the Counselor
 Alderian counselors function primarily
as diagnosticians, teachers, and
models in the equalitarian
relationships they establish with their
clients.
 They try to assess why clients are
oriented to a certain way of thinking
and behaving.
 The counselor makes an assessment
by gathering information on the family
constellation and a client's earliest
memories.
 The counselor then shares
impressions, opinions and feelings
with the client and concentrates on
promoting therapeutic relationship.
 The client is encouraged to examine
and change a faulty lifestyle by
developing social interest.
Goals
 The goals of Alderian counseling
revolve around helping people
develop healthy holistic lifestyles.
 This may mean educating or
reeducating clients about what such
lifestyles are as well as helping them
overcome feelings of inferiority.
 One of the major goals of Alderian
counseling is to help clients overcome a
faulty style of life ; that is , a life that is
self-centered and based on mistaken goals
and incorrect assumptions associated with
feelings of inferiority.
 The feelings must be corrected and
inappropriate forms of behavior must be
stopped.
 To do so, the counselor assumes the role of
teacher and interpreter of events.
 Adlerian counseling deals with the
whole person(Kern & Watts).
 The client is ultimately in charge of
deciding whether to pursue social or
self-interests.
Techniques
 Adlerian counselors try to develop a
warm, supportive, empathic, friendly
and equalitarian relationship with
clients.
 The counselor concentrates on an
analysis of the client’s lifestyle ,
including examination of the family
constellation, early memories,
dreams and priorities.
 Counselors next try to help clients
develop insight , especially by asking
open-ended questions and making
interpretations.
 To accomplish behavioral change, the
counselor uses specific techniques:
 Confrontation
 Asking,” the question”
 Encouragement
 Acting “as if”
 Spitting in the client’s soup
 Catching oneself
 Task setting
 Push button
Strengths and Contributions
 The approach fosters an equalitarian
atmosphere through the positive
techniques that counselors promote.
Counselors approach their clients with
an educational orientation and take
an optimistic outlook on life.
 The approach is useful in the
treatment of a variety of disorders.
 The approach is versatile over the life
span.
 The approach can be employed
selectively in different cultural
contexts.
Limitations.
 The approach lacks a firm, supportive
research base.
 The approach is vague in regard to some of
its terms and concepts.
 The approach may be too optimistic about
human nature, especially social cooperation
and interest. Some critics consider his view
neglectful of other life dimensions, such as
the power and place of the unconscious.
 The approach’s basic principle’s such
as a democratic family structure, may
not fit well in working with clients
whose cultural context stresses the
idea of a lineal social relationship ,
such as with traditional Arab
Americans.
 The approach , which relies heavily on
verbal erudition, logic, and insight ,
may be limited in its applicability to
clients who are not intellectually
bright.