Alfred Adler

Just recently started seeing Alfred Adler mentioned. Does anyone know more info about him?

Our information about A.A. is limited. Why don't you introduce him to us to begin with?

Just to kick start this thread:
Adler is most closely associated with the term "inferiority complex." He was a contemporary of and one-time close associate of Freud. As with most of Freud's associates Adler split from Sigmund's theories. Adler focused on the external forces affecting the individual, especially birth order, economic and class status and these resultant experiences. He taught that the individual is constantly seeking to improve, stemming from a feeling of inferiority and a desire to overcome it. His theories of birth order regained popularity when I was going through undergraduate and much has been developed since then. He believed that the first born had to mature faster but that the second born was in a constant challenge to excel their elder sibling.
There is much more about Adlerian Psychology, but perhaps this bit will wet the appetite.

“He taught that the individual is constantly seeking to improve, stemming from a feeling of inferiority and a desire to overcome it. “

^^^^ the above is what caught my attention about him. I haven’t had time to dig into his story but it sounds interesting.

Also there’s this quote that I wonder what he means by?

“ Trust only movement. Life happens at the level of events, not of words."

^^ I interpreted it as actions speak louder than words?

I think your interpretation is valid.
Adler took issue with Freud's emphasis on the internal dynamics of Ego, ID and Super Ego. He believed that emphasis should be on the external forces acting on the individual - hence detectable events, or movements, can be described and evaluated. Freud spent decades with patients delving into feelings, parental relationships, fears and neuroses.
Freud: so, you felt threatened by your father
Adler: so, the kids bullied you because of your poverty

I was under the impression that Alder's main focus was that we are responsible for our own behavior, that no matter what we are greeted with, we should take responsibility for our own behavior.

To me, Freud sounds kind of like our behavior is the result of the actions others have instigated upon us. Kind of like "for every action, there's a reaction." Kind of like we have a justification to our actions. Kind of like I did "this" because of "this". Then it goes like a chain reaction, kind of like a loop that never ends...in the end, no one is responsible for anything yet everyone is.

Do you have any recommendations of books to read about Alfred Adler?

My books on psychology are mostly from Undergrad - circa 1970. I have an excellent omnibus which has a good overview with some depth on Adler. I doubt if it is still in print but you can borrow it if you wish.

Some rusty insights I gathered about A. A. to add on to what was already discussed.

Essentials in Adler’s Theory
Individual Psychology: Adler emphasized the holistic nature of the individual, rejecting Freud’s compartmentalization of the psyche (id, ego, superego). For Adler, the person is an indivisible unity of thoughts, feelings, and actions.

Striving for Superiority: Central to his thought is the idea that all humans are driven by a fundamental impulse to overcome feelings of inferiority and strive for mastery, competence, or superiority (not in a tyrannical sense, but in self-actualization).

Inferiority Complex: When this striving is thwarted or distorted, one develops a sense of inferiority that can manifest in neurotic behaviours, overcompensation, or withdrawal.

Social Interest: A healthy individual is not just self-actualized but socially embedded and motivated by a sense of belonging, empathy, and contribution to the community.

Lifestyle and Early Recollections: Adler stressed the importance of early childhood experiences and the “style of life” one forms early on, which guides behaviour unconsciously.

Some shortcomings:
Humanistic and Empowering: Adler’s focus on purpose, meaning, and personal growth anticipates existential and humanistic psychology (e.g., Frankl, Maslow).

Socially Conscious: His insistence on social interest foregrounded the idea that mental health cannot be divorced from social well-being and ethical responsibility.

Holistic Approach: He moved psychology away from deterministic instincts and pathologies toward agency, choice, and creative self-direction.

Limitations and Criticisms:
Vagueness and Lack of Empirical Insight: Many of Adler’s concepts—such as striving for superiority or social interest—are difficult to operationalize or test scientifically.

His theories often rely on narrative interpretation rather than empirical observation.

Overemphasis on Motivation: While insightful, the idea that all behaviour stems from a desire to overcome inferiority can be reductive. Not all human action is compensatory or teleological.

Neglect of Biology and the Unconscious: Compared to Freud and later biological models, Adler downplayed the role of unconscious drives, instincts, and neurobiology, which limits the theory’s explanatory power in cases of severe mental illness.

Moralistic Tone: The emphasis on “social interest” can sometimes feel prescriptive or idealistic, assuming a normative standard of health based on community involvement and ethical behaviour.

Undervalues Trauma and Structural Injustice: Adler’s focus on personal striving and lifestyle choice may inadequately account for how systemic oppression, trauma, or structural violence distort human development.