The Story of the Crucial Cs: Tradition, Origin, and Applications

Abstract

The Story of the Crucial Cs:Tradition, Origin, and Applications Amy Lew, Guest Editor (bio) At the time of this writing, the world is experiencing a pandemic, and many people feel that all their Crucial Cs—connect, capable, count, and courage—are disrupted. People are disconnected from their friends and family. Many are unable to work or provide for themselves and others. During remote learning, children are separated from friends and the opportunity to hone and show their capabilities. Many children who excelled at sports or music or drama are unable to feel significant through those avenues. Our courage is profoundly challenged. We see, more than ever, how not feeling the Crucial Cs affects how we behave and how we respond to others. Some of us become angry and withdrawn, some refuse to acknowledge that there is a pandemic, and others summon their courage to find useful ways to feel the Crucial Cs. Just like after 9/11 (Lew, 2002), they find ways to reach out to friends and family through Zoom and social media. They look for what they can do to help; they make masks, check on and shop for neighbors, give emotional support and appreciation to first responders. They try to feel that they make a difference through such contributions. Social upheaval abounds, perhaps magnified by feelings of helplessness in the face of COVID-19. Some overcome the feeling of powerlessness by trying to assert their superiority over others. They find connection by joining together with like-minded people to push others down. They think fighting is a sign of strength and courage and feel significant by frightening and belittling others. Others try to find the Cs through constructive means. They rally and protest, joining together to stand up for others. They vote and write postcards and letters to help others have a voice. They work to change the system so that all people have the opportunity to feel safe and significant. For example, the statement "Black Lives Matter" has been advanced by African Americans and others to raise awareness about systemic racism in [End Page 119] U.S. society. How one reacts to that statement can reflect how individuals experience the Crucial Cs. Most people take that statement to reflect the importance of demanding equality for Black Americans, as a declaration that we are all connected by our common humanity and should be allowed to develop according to our potential. For some others, they feel that the statement somehow lessens the importance of their own lives; that if others are empowered, then they are diminished. If we are going to come out of our various current crises, we will need to find ways to strengthen the Crucial Cs for all people. Alfred Adler believed that all problems were social problems and that the solution to all of humanity's "dis-ease" is social interest and social equality. We need to amplify our human connection, show that we are able to care for others (if only by wearing a mask), and feel that what we do matters and that we can participate in the solutions. Because this issue is dedicated to some of the many applications of the Crucial Cs, I thought I would place them into context as I introduce the articles and share some of the other ways they have been used. Tradition Alfred Adler was committed to making Individual Psychology understandable and accessible to everyone. His original students continued this tradition in the United States. Heinz and Rowena Ansbacher translated, disseminated, and explained his work; Lydia Sicher and Sophia de Vries taught and lectured; Kurt and Alexandra Adler brought Adlerian ideas to New York; and Rudolf Dreikurs spread the ideas around the world through lectures, demonstrations, and clear, easy-to-understand writings, as well as books for parents, teachers, and individuals, and numerous articles for professionals. Dreikurs also inspired some great minds and teachers who continued to spread Adlerian ideas around the world. These included Bernard Shulman, Harold Mosak, Mim Pew, Edna Nash, Adeline Starr, Sadie Tee Dreikurs, Achi Yotam, Mica Katz, Ray Corsini, Ray Lowe, Manford Sonstegard, Oscar Christensen, Robert Powers, and Frank Walton. Each of these Adlerian pioneers was committed to making...