MART 402 - Introduction to Adlerian Psychology

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This course covers the theoretical principles of Individual Psychology/Adlerian Theory as a basis for understanding each individual’s creation of a unique “style of life” or personality. Principles introduced include: the social nature of people, individual creativity, holism, purposive behavior, the family constellation, life task, early recollections, dreams, memory, private logic, and phenomenology. Addressed will be the cognitive, affective, social, cultural, historical, environmental, and diversity dimensions of the individual’s development and the selectivity of perception in the formation of their view of self, others, and the world. Students will be introduced to Gemeinschaftsgefühl (social interest/social feeling) and its potential impact on individuals and humankind emphasizing values such as the importance of belonging, cooperating, contributing to others and society and affording mutual respect and equality of worth to all. The values of caring, compassion and commitment to the betterment of society are emphasized by encouraging both confidence in human ability and a commitment to creative and constructive problem solving throughout the life span. Students will also learn about the postmodern relational constructivist vision of Adlerian Theory and how it fits within current approaches in counselling psychology.