Freud Vs Adler? Maybe Psychology Is Following The Wrong Philosophy?

The Relevance of Adlerian Psychology in Today’s Mental Health Crisis

Editor’s Note: In an our current era where mental health challenges are seem to be on the rise, particularly among our youth, the psychological theories of the past century, in my opinion, deserve renewed examination for their hands-on and practical applications today. As we witness disturbing trends in children’s depression, anxiety, and social alienation, alongside rising crime rates and chaos in community and political divisions, the need for effective psychological frameworks has never been more urgent. The article below explores why Alfred Adler’s holistic approach to psychology may offer more timely solutions to today’s social crises than Freudian theory—drawing on personal experiences across diverse social contexts.

A Personal Journey Through Human Behavior

The past few years I’ve become increasingly fascinated by human behavior patterns. Being actively involved in our community, raising two sons, starting and managing a business, going back to college as an older adult, and participating in politics for over 22 years has exposed me to a remarkable diversity of personalities and behavioral tendencies. This multifaceted experience has provided a unique laboratory for observing how different psychological frameworks translate into real-world outcomes.

Freud vs. Adler: A Crucial Theoretical Divergence

Between Freud and Adler, I definitely think Adler’s perspective is more convincing and relevant to today’s challenges.

While they both began from similar psychoanalytic foundations, the theoretical divergence that occurred when Adler broke away from Freud’s circle represents a crucial evolution in psychological thought—one that may provide valuable insights for addressing our current social problems.

Mental Health Crisis: The Modern Context

There’s no doubt that as a society we’re witnessing an alarming rise in mental health issues, especially among children and adolescents. Concurrent with this trend is an increase in crime and other social problems that suggest fundamental disconnections in our social fabric. These troubling developments demand psychological approaches that address not just individual pathology but also social context and community connections—precisely where Adlerian psychology excels.

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*Originally published Simply Psychology by Riley Hoffman

January 24, 2024

Key Takeaways

Why Adler’s Approach Resonates Today

Adler’s emphasis on social interest, community feeling, and the pursuit of significance offers a refreshing counterpoint to our increasingly isolated and individualistic culture. His focus on belonging and contribution provides practical pathways for reconnecting alienated individuals to their communities, potentially addressing root causes of both mental health challenges and antisocial behaviors.

Adler’s perspective indeed offers a compelling alternative to Freudian theory. Here’s an elaboration on why many find Adler’s approach more convincing:
Key Differences in Their Approaches

Adler emphasized:
– Social interest and community feeling as fundamental to psychological health
– A holistic view of the individual (rather than fragmented parts of the psyche)
– Goal-oriented behavior rather than purely drive-reduction
– The importance of equality in relationships
– The pursuit of significance and belonging as primary motivators

Freud focused on:
– Sexual and aggressive drives as primary motivators
– Unconscious conflicts from early childhood
– The tripartite model of id, ego, and superego
– Psychosexual developmental stages
– Intrapsychic rather than social determinants of behavior

Practical Applications

Adler’s theories translate more readily to practical life situations you’ve experienced:

– Parenting: Adler’s concepts of encouragement and democratic family structures provide clear guidance for raising confident children
– Community work: His emphasis on social interest aligns with community building
– Business management: Understanding individual goals and motivations helps in leadership
– Politics: Adler’s focus on equality and cooperation resonates with community values that emphasize collaborative problem-solving and mutual respect across different perspectives.

Contemporary Relevance

Modern psychology has largely embraced more Adlerian concepts like:
– The importance of belonging
– The pursuit of meaning and purpose
– The goal-oriented nature of human behavior
– The social embeddedness of the individual

Adler was correct in shifting focus from Freud’s sexual and unconscious drives to the social dimensions of human development. His emphasis on social interest, the creative self, and the pursuit of goals provides a more holistic understanding of human behavior. Unlike Freud’s deterministic view that we are primarily products of our past, Adler recognized our capacity for self-determination and growth.

The superiority of Adler’s approach is evident in how his concepts have been incorporated into modern therapeutic practices like cognitive-behavioral therapy. His understanding that behavior is purposeful and goal-oriented rather than merely reactive gives individuals greater agency in their psychological development. Adler correctly identified that feelings of inferiority and the compensatory striving for significance are fundamental motivational forces that shape human behavior across cultures and contexts.

Adler’s social-teleological model ultimately offers a more empowering and pragmatic framework for understanding the human condition than Freud’s more mechanistic and reductionist approach.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

While Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalysis revolutionized the field of psychology, Alfred Adler’s “Individual Psychology” offered a contrasting perspective, particularly regarding the driving forces behind human behavior and the role of social factors. While Freud emphasized unconscious drives and the importance of the past, Adler focused on conscious goals, social influences, and the individual’s striving for superiority and belonging. The question of whether psychology is following the “wrong philosophy” is a complex one, with arguments for and against the dominance of Freudian thought, and the potential for Adler’s approach to offer a more comprehensive and practical understanding of human behavior.
Freud vs. Adler: Key Differences
Driving Forces:
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Freud believed that human behavior is primarily driven by unconscious sexual and aggressive instincts, while Adler emphasized the conscious drive for self-improvement, belonging, and striving for superiority.
Role of the Past:
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Freud placed significant emphasis on childhood experiences and their influence on the unconscious, while Adler highlighted the importance of the present and the future in shaping an individual’s life.
Social Influence:
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Adler viewed social relationships and a sense of belonging as fundamental to human motivation, whereas Freud focused more on internal conflicts and the struggle between id, ego, and superego.
Focus of Therapy:
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While Freudian psychoanalysis focuses on uncovering and resolving unconscious conflicts, Adlerian therapy aims to empower individuals to understand their life goals, social influences, and strive for positive change.
Why Adler’s Approach Might Offer a Different Perspective
Emphasis on Social Connection:
Adler’s emphasis on social connection and belonging resonates with contemporary views on the importance of social support and community in mental well-being.
Focus on the Present and Future:
Adler’s focus on the present and future aligns with a more proactive and optimistic approach to therapy, where individuals can actively shape their lives and overcome challenges.
Empowerment and Self-Direction:
Adler’s approach emphasizes individual responsibility and self-determination, allowing clients to take ownership of their lives and make meaningful choices.
Holistic and Humanistic Perspective:
Adler’s Individual Psychology is considered more holistic and humanistic, recognizing the interconnectedness of the individual’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and their relationships with others.
Conclusion: The Ongoing Debate
The debate between Freud and Adler, and their respective approaches to psychology, continues to be relevant. While Freudian psychoanalysis has undeniably left a lasting impact on the field, Adler’s emphasis on social connection, conscious goals, and individual empowerment offers a valuable alternative for understanding human behavior and promoting well-being. Whether psychology is following the “wrong philosophy” depends on the perspective and the specific goals of the individual or the field of study. Ultimately, the most effective approach to understanding and addressing human psychological challenges may lie in integrating insights from both Freud and Adler, and other contemporary perspective

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