Adlerian Theory Research Articles

Developmentally Appropriate Practice: Adlerian Play Therapy with Preschool Children

Recent calls for developmentally appropriate mental health services require counselors to evaluate their approach, especially with young children. Adlerian Play Therapy (AdPT) is a well-developed, manualized child-counseling model (Kottman, 2009) with an abundance of literature describing its theoretical tenets and practical application with elementary-age children. AdPT is one of the most widely used play-based approaches; thus, it is important to examine developmental considerations when implementing this approach with preschool-age children. This article is the first of its kind to address developmental considerations when using AdPT with preschoolers. The authors review developmental considerations of young children and basic constructs of Adlerian theory and AdPT, and they conclude with a case illustration that synthesizes developmental knowledge within the framework of AdPT with a preschooler.

An Integrative Adlerian Approach to Creating a Teen Parenting Program

Adlerian theory is a foundation used by numerous parent education programs, and it is also defensibly an unyielding theoretical foundation for teen parent educational programs. Teen programs can be supported and enhanced by the inclusion of additional theoretical approaches to serving youth. In this article, the authors discuss how integrating relationship education, life skill development, and educational attainment, as well as specific approaches to program engagement and delivery, can enhance the learning environment for young parents. This theoretical overview is designed to showcase a representation of principles and practices that are important for developing quality teen parenting programs.

Risk attitudes and birth order

Risk attitudes play important roles in health behavior and everyday decision making. It is unclear, however, whether these attitudes can be predicted from birth order. We investigated 200 mostly male volunteers from two distinct settings. After correcting for multiple comparisons, for the number of siblings and for confounding by gender, ordinal position predicted perception of health-related risks among participants in extreme sports (p < .01). However, the direction of the effect contradicted Adlerian theory. Except for alcohol consumption, these findings extended to self-reported risk behavior. Together, the data call for a cautious stand on the impact of birth order on risk attitudes.

Asian culture in transition: is it related to reported parenting styles and transitivity of simple choices?

AbstractDoes culture shape reported parenting styles and cognitive processes like transitive reasoning, of choosing A over B, B over C, and then A over C (transitivity)? Asian‐American, Caucasian‐American, and Indian university students differed significantly in transitivity and in reported parental styles. India participants were more intransitive and, contrary to traditional findings in the literature, reported their parents as more laissez‐faire, individualistic, and competitive than did Caucasian‐Americans. Recent technological and industrial advances in India likely explain some of these obtained differences. Predictions from Adlerian theory and work of Kurt Lewin, that parenting styles would relate to transitivity of choices, were indirectly supported. Stronger evidence was found that culture impacts both reported parental styles and transitivity of simple choices.

Alfred Adler - der unbekannte Arzt

Th e unknown Alfred Adler: Newly published medical papers by Alfred Adler discussing diseases of the spleen and the pancreas as well as peritonitis and Spasmus Nutans The author discusses the socio-medical roots of Adlerian Psychology on the basis of four papers from Alfred Adler's »Medical Encyclopaedia for the General Practitioner« (1908), which have as yet not been included in Adler's bibliography. Th e papers appear under the following entries in the »Medical Encyclopaedia«: »diseases of the spleen«, »diseases of the pancreas«, »peritonitis« and »spasmus nutans«. Adler underlined the importance of social factors in the development of disease and he also emphasised the fundamental role played by education and teaching in disease prevention and the early recognition of symptoms. Th e medical roots of Adlerian Psychology played a vital role in the later development of Adlerian theory and practice.

Das Zärtlichkeitsbedürfnis des Kindes. Anmerkungen zu seinem Stellenwert in Adlers Werk

The author discusses Adler's paper on the »need for affection« as an important step in the development of Adlerian theory. In some ways one could see it as a precursor of modern psychoanalysis, particularly the interpersonal school. In this paper, Adler widens the scope of instinct theory, ultimately undermining it. He understands the need for affection in an interpersonal way, as a forerunner of community feeling, and he discusses the effects of neglect or pampering in children´s upbringing.

Leadership training for managers: An Adlerian approach

AbstractAdlerian theory—a social model of human behavior—provides an effective framework to improve managerial practices and enhance organizational leadership. Developed by Alfred Adler (1870–1937), founder of the influential school of individual psychology, Adlerian theory promotes principles of social interest, democracy, and encouragement. These principles may guide leaders in building collaborative, productive workforces through participative management, coaching, and employee engagement. Experiential training exercises that integrate Adlerian principles can help managers expand their interpersonal competencies and increase leadership effectiveness.

Birth Order and Fratricide: An evaluation of Sulloway's hypothesis

Sulloway (1996) suggested that older siblings were more likely to be fratricidal than younger ones. Our data, based on 113 case studies found in the psychiatric, psychological and criminological literature since 1959, confirms his hypothesis. In 72 out of the 92 cases (78%) where age could be determined, the aggressor was older than the victim. The same held true even when the age of aggressor, sex of aggressor and victim, presence or not of a blood tie, and presence of one or more victims are taken into account. Surprisingly, most of the aggressors in our sample were under the age of 18 years. Also, first-borns were more often the aggressor than the victim. This result seems to confirm the Adlerian theory of dethronement. Some suggestions and hypotheses are advanced for future research to improve our understanding of this phenomenon.

An Exploration of Adlerian Lifestyle Themes and Alcohol‐Related Behaviors Among College Students

The aim of this study was to investigate college student drinking through the lens of Adlerian theory. In a sample of 273 participants, multiple regression analyses confirmed that certain lifestyle themes were associated with alcohol‐related behaviors and that men and women who engage in drinking differ in their convictions and goals as defined by Adlerian theory.

Alfred Adler's Treatment as a Form of Brief Therapy

Alfred Adler was largely overlooked during his era because he viewed people as creative beings in control of their own mental health and resisted the then-standard practice of treating human beings from a pedestal with a normative body of laws. His progressive style of treatment has become more popular in an age when efficient and collaborative treatment is valued for the sake of cost-effectiveness. This article positions Adlerian psychotherapy as a form of brief therapy, effective psychotherapy that takes place in 20 sessions or fewer. The article summarizes the fundamentals of Adlerian theory, outlines the general criteria of brief psychotherapy required by managed care companies, and specifically highlights how Adlerian psychotherapy qualifies as brief psychotherapy.

A Visual Encapsulation of Adlerian Theory: A Tool for Teaching and Learning

A visual diagram is presented in this article to illustrate 6 key concepts of Adlerian theory discussed in corresponding narrative format. It is proposed that in an age of multimedia learning, a pictorial reference can enhance the teaching and learning of Adlerian theory, representing a commitment to humanistic education.

Compatibility of Adlerian Theory and Practice With the Philosophy and Practices of Alcoholics Anonymous

Tenets of Adlerian theory and practice are compatible with the philosophy and practices of Alcoholics Anonymous. Counselors can expect treatment approaches based on Adlerian counseling theory to be congruent with 12‐Step practices of individuals who are in recovery from alcohol dependence.

Infusing Adlerian Theory into an Introductory Marriage and Family Course

In this article, the authors examine the important contributions that Adlerian theory, also known as Individual Psychology, makes to the field of marriage andfamily counseling. Through the use ofopenforum family counseling, they provide a framework that shows ways Adlerian theory can be infused into an introductory marriage and family course, as well as introduced tofamily practitioners unfamiliar with the concepts. The authors address the pioneering role that Adler played in systems approach and discuss Adlerianfamily counseling regarding key concepts, assessment techniques, goals and treatment interventions. In addition, the authors share strategies to help individuals gain an understanding of their own family of origin from an Adlerian perspective and encourage them to practice their skills through role-plays and by co-counseling client families.

An Adlerian Reaction in the Spirit of Social Interest: Dialogue Worth Reckoning With

Social interest is alive and well and permeates the pages of this issue. The contributors were all concerned, first and foremost, with dialogue, exploration, integration, reflection, and forward movement. A definite spirit pervaded the papers of these authors: "Let us seriously consider how we can use each other's theories and constructs to further enhance our psychological understanding." That spirit made this a refreshing set of papers to read. It was nice to not be confronted with protectionism, "theoretical blindness," and do or die allegiance, characteristics that have been known to and still do exist in some of the psychotherapy literature. But with that said, what can we say about these four papers? After going over them, I asked myself, "What are the main points that the authors are making?" To help me answer that question, I decided to put my understandings into table form. The main points of these papers (as I see them), then, are presented in Tables 1 through 4. If nothing else, perhaps those can serve as a quick summary resource that complements the four papers themselves. As those tables show, while each theory has some measure of uniqueness, much similarity can be found across cognitive, constructivist, and Adlerian camps-for example, in terms of (a) the relatively synonymous concepts schemas, core constructs, and life style, (b) the collaborative, cooperative nature of the therapeutic relationship, and (c) their tendency to use a variety of cognitive and behavioral techniques in psychotherapy. As the tables also show, we can all learn from each other, using the other theories to extend and stretch out our own conceptualizations. Any theory and therapy must be thought of as an open system, constantly subject to scrutiny and open to revision (Patterson & Watkins, 1996). For instance, in recent years, some prominent Adlerians (e.g., Carlson, 1989) have urged, even exhorted, the Adlerian community to go "beyond Adler," "to modify Adlerian ideas to today's tough issues, issues that did not exist in the 1920s" (p. 413; cf. Hartshorne, 1991; Huber, 1991). Such ideas only get modified through dialogue, scrutiny, pushing the envelope, stretching the boundaries. If we are to go beyond Adler, if we are to go beyond the current state of cognitive and constructivist thought, then we must continue to be open to change and dialogue. Any good theory should serve as an anchor; however, it should not so anchor us that we drown (Karasu, 1992). Sometimes we need to raise anchor, chart new waters, or polish up that which becomes rusty or tarnished over time. The sort of dialogue we have here is constructive, progressive, and I think, serves as a useful model of theoretic evaluation and reevaluation for us all to follow. In the spirit of social interest, let the dialogues continue! [Sidebar] Table l.Some Similarities Between Cognitive and Adlerian Theory and Therapy 1. The cognitive concept "schema" and Adlerian concept "life style" can be thought of as synonymous terms. 2. Cognitive therapists strive to establish a therapeutic relationship grounded in collaborative empiricism; Adlerians strive to establish a therapeutic relationship grounded in cooperation. 3. Cognitive therapists "desensitize" problematic cognitions; Adlerians in incremental, step by step fashion "defuse" neurotic safeguarding. 4. Cognitive and Adlerian therapists (a) share a conceptual framework that focuses on understanding the client's "rules of life," (b) help clients examine how they construe the world and experiment with new ways of responding, and (c) share a similar conception of the stages and goals of the therapeutic process itself. Table 2. Some of What the Cognitive and Adlerian Camps Have to Offer Each Other On the Cognitive Side 1. Treatment protocols developed by cognitive therapists could be useful in enhancing Adlerian therapists' practice. …

Narcissism and birth order.

The purpose of this investigation was to clarify the relationship between birth-order position and the development of narcissism, while refining research and theory. The relationship between birth-order status and narcissism was examined with a sample of 79 undergraduate students (55 women and 24 men). These subjects were placed in one of the four following birth-order categories of firstborn, second-born, last-born, and only children. These categories were chosen given their significance in Adlerian theory. Each subject completed the Narcissistic Personality Inventory and a demographic inventory. Based on psychodynamic theory, it was hypothesized that firstborn children were expected to score highest, but statistical significance was not found for an association between narcissism and birth order. Further research is urged to investigate personality theory as it relates to parenting style and birth order.

Adlerian and analytic theory: A case presentation

Abstract A boy with encopresis was referred by pediatrics to psychiatry due to concerns about the family's functioning. The parents had recently divorced and the father retained custody of the two preschool children. The children's fearfulness and lack of appropriate social relationships were major problems. The child's encopresis threatened successful kindergarten adaptation. Family therapy led to consistent decrease of soiling. The initial assessment is discussed with respect to both Adlerian and psychoanalytic object-relations theory in order to demonstrate two distinctly different theories for understanding family dynamics and formulating a therapeutic approach. Object-relations theory emphasizes intra-psychic experience and developmental stages in the psychological birth of the individual. Separation-individuation of the child from mother and the resulting ability to handle the oedipal configuration determine psychic functioning. Adlerian theory emphasizes the purposes of behavior. Personality forms ...

Prediction of Recidivism in a Criminal Population by Birth Order and Family Size

This study investigated the prediction of recidivism by birth order and family size. Subjects were 204 black, 193 white, and 4 other adult male offenders who completed a 10-item questionnaire during intake classification interviews. Birth-order and family-size categories were formed on the basis of Adlerian theory. Data were analyzed by a priori contrasts. A statistically significant effect was found for the firstborn adult, male offender. It is suggested that birth order is a promising area for future research.

Adlerian Theory and Pastoral Counseling

This article is based on the view that an adlerian perspective on psychotherapy is more consistent with Christian theology than conventional psychoanalysis and that pastoral counselors should, therefore, find it more useful in their counseling. An overview of adlerian theory is presented, including views on “social interest” and “inferiority feelings.” These views are compared to Christian theology and conclusions are drawn as to implications for psychotherapy.

Book Review: Techniques for Behavior Change: Applications of Adlerian Theory.

Book Review: Techniques for Behavior Change: Applications of Adlerian Theory.

Book Reviews

Book reviewed in this article:Challenges to Graduate Schools by Ann M. HeissTherapy with Families of Sexually Acting‐Out Girls by Alfred S. Friedman et alTests and Measurements by Leona E. Tyler.Report of the Commission on Tests: I, Righting the Balance; II, Briefs by the Commission on Tests.2, 4, 6, 8, When You Gonna Integrate? by Frank A. Petroni, Ernest A. Hirsch, and C. Lillian PetroniIssues of the Seventies edited by Fred F. Harcleroad. San Francisco: Jossey‐BassGuiding Human Development: The Counselor and the Teacher in the Elementary School by June Grant Shane, Harold G. Shane, Robert L. Gibson, and Paul F. MungerEncounters with the Self by Don E. HamachekWhat Black Educators Are Saying edited by Nathan Wright, Jr.The School Counselor as a Professional by John J. Pietrofesa and John Vriend.The Degradation of the Academic Dogma by Robert Nisbet.Developmental Counseling and Guidance: A Comprehensive School Approach by Don C. Dinkmeyer and Charles E. Caldwell.Foundations of Guidance (Second Edition) by Carroll H. Miller.Techniques for Behavior Change: Applications of Adlerian Theory edited by Arthur G. Nikelly