Alfred Adler Psychology and Success
Alfred Adler (1870-1937)
Austrian psychologist (pictured right) who first introduced the idea of an inferiority
complex.
An associate of Sigmund
Freud (pictured right below) in Vienna.
His most famous book is...
The Practice and Theory of Individual Psychology (1927).
What did he teach us?
1. Inferiority complex
Everyone has a feeling of inferiority, particularly in childhood, when you are motivated to copy the
achievements of adults.
This inferiority creates:
- self-confidence (from continual achievement), or
- an inferiority complex (caused by feelings of failure).
2. Superiority complex
People with a superiority complex constantly strive towards achieving goals.
But success never gives them confidence, only the desire to seek more goals and
external recognition.
3. Importance of self-esteem and compensation
Self-esteem is vital to self-confidence, positive thinking and success.
So people with physical disabilities are:
- defeated by them, or
- motivated to overcome problems and achieve greater success.
Key quote on life
To be human is to feel inferior
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