Individual Psychology

Chapter 4 Summary:

Individual Psychology emphasizes that humans have two different motivations.  The first is power the second is the need to belong. We meet each of these drives in our own way as each of us creates our own lifestyle. Many things impact our lifestyles but most are formed by age six. This theory points out and understands the faults in the lifestyle of an individual. Alfred Adler is the founder of Individual Psychology therapy.  

How the theory applies:

I see the second drive a lot working within residence life. Many times students have come to me and talked about how they don’t talk to anyone and they miss being at home. They feel they do not belong here and they an outcast. I have to facilitate these conversations in order to help these students feel they belong.

Video:

Individual: Reframing Perceptions:

The therapist is practicing individual psychology as he is listening to the client but at the end points out the faults that may be causing conflict in his life.  Throughout the session, the client mentioned several different things that he would like to do as a career, empowering him.  The therapist points this out by asking which he really would like to do; this gives him the power. The client then decides that he would like to be a writer, meeting his first drive.