The Relevance of Adler's Psychology to Present-Day Theory
KURT A. ADLER M.D., PH.D.1
1 Medical Director of the Alfred Adler Institute of New York and Medical Director of the Jamaica Center of Psychotherapy, New York
Adler's Individual Psychology is an ego psychology. One of its bases is adaptation leading to goal-directed striving for mastery or superiority. Heredity, instincts, and environment are not seen as determining personality; they are only the building materials the child used to construct his unique personality. Man therefore strives freely for his progress rather than being a slave to his instincts. Another basis of Adler's psychology is man's social nature, which totally permeates his thinking, feeling, willing, and acting.
