Profession: Doctor and Psychotherapist
Biography: Alfred Adler was an Austrian doctor and psychotherapist. He played a key role in the early development of psychology and psychoanalysis.
Adler is best known for founding the school of Individual Psychology. This emphasizes the uniqueness of each person and the importance of social factors in development.
At first Adler was close with Sigmund Freud, but they diverged over their differing perspectives. In 1911, Adler officially parted ways with Freud and the psychoanalytic movement.
They disagreed primarily on the role of sexuality in psychological development. Freud famously saw the sexual drives as all-important. Adler, in contrast, believed that social factors were more important for human behavior.
After the split, Adler went on to develop his own school of thought. His key ideas include the inferiority complex and the "striving for superiority." This describes how individuals compensate for feelings of inferiority, which shapes their behaviour.
Adler's concept of the striving for superiority explains how individuals are driven by success. As against Freud, they are also motivated by a desire for personal growth and self-realisation.
Born: February 7, 1870
Birthplace: Rudolfsheim, Vienna, Austria
Star Sign: Aquarius
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