A terrorist blows up a building in a hated foreign country. How might Adler explain this behavior?

Individual Psychology is a school of psychological theory and therapy developed by Alfred Adler. Rather than focusing on unconscious desires or early life traumas alone, Adler’s approach puts emphasis on the uniqueness of each individual and their social relationships. A key tenet is that people are inherently motivated to strive for perfection or to achieve a sense of competence and fulfillment.

This perspective suggests that individuals create their own personality through their subjective experiences and their attempts to find their place in society. Each person develops a distinct lifestyle that is evident from an early age, which shapes their perceptions, actions, and interactions. Therefore, in an educational setting, understanding an individual’s motivations and behaviors means looking at them holistically, in terms of their social embeddedness and their subjective interpretation of life events.

Individual Psychology is applicable in various contexts, from therapeutic interventions to enlightening learners about human behavior. It provides a comprehensive framework for understanding how individuals navigate the complexities of life, emphasizing personal growth and community feeling.

Feelings of inferiority are a central concept in Adler’s theory, referring to the sense of weakness and inadequacy that people experience when they compare themselves to others or to societal standards. Adler suggested that everyone experiences such feelings at some point, originating in childhood, as we are all born feeling vulnerable and dependent.

In response to these inferiority feelings, people are motivated to develop abilities and skills, a process Adler called 'compensation'. Compensation can be positive, leading to growth and development, or it can take a negative turn, resulting in an 'inferiority complex'. An inferiority complex arises when a person is unable to overcome these feelings, leading to detrimental behaviors and an unhealthy lifestyle.

Recognizing Inferiority in Educational Settings

As an educator, it’s crucial to recognize signs of inferiority in students. They may exhibit a lack of participation, hesitate to take risks, or be overly competitive. Understanding the underlying feelings of inferiority can help in guiding these students towards constructive compensation and fostering a supportive learning environment that encourages personal development.

The striving for significance, according to Adler, is a fundamental human drive to feel important and make a meaningful contribution to society. It stems from the desire to transform feelings of inferiority into feelings of equality or superiority. This drive for significance shapes our goals, aspirations, and behavior.

Everyone has a unique way of striving for significance, depending on their life experiences and social context. Some may aim for success in academic or professional fields, while others might focus on social activism or creative expression. A healthy striving for significance usually leads to positive social contribution and a strong sense of self-worth.

Encouraging Positive Strivings in Students

As educators, it is essential to nurture this striving in students by setting an environment that acknowledges and rewards effort and improvement. By helping students set realistic personal goals and recognizing their incremental successes, they can be steered away from destructive behaviors and towards constructive actions that reinforce their self-esteem and their will to participate meaningfully in their communities.