Adler believed people are born with weak inferior bodies - a condition that leads to feelings of inferiority and a consequent dependence on other people. Therefore a feeling of unity with others (social interest) is inherent in people and the ultimate standard for psychological health. The main tenets can be organized under 6 tenets.

1. STRIVING FOR SUCCESS OR SUPERIORITY

A. Achieving complete or perfect Superiority or Success is the Final goal for all humans.

II SUBJECTIVE PERCEPTIONS

The subjective perceptions of the individual shape behavior & personality.

III UNITY OF PERSONALITY

All psychological phenomena are unified within the individual in a self-consistent manner. Each person is unique & indivisible.

For Adler, there are several ways in which this unity is apparent

A. Organ Dialect (jargon)

B. Conscious & Unconscious

IV SOCIAL INTEREST

The usefulness of all human activity must be seen from the viewpoint of social interest.

The original German - Germeinschaftsgeful - actually connotes a feeling of oneness with humanity; membership in the social community.

V, STYLE OF LIFE

All human potentialities develop in accordance with the individual's self-consistent style of life.

4 major lifestyles:

A. The ruling or dominant type

B. The getting type

C. The avoiding type

D. The socially useful type

CREATIVE POWER

The style of life is developed by the individual's creative power.

HOW DOES ADLER EXPLAIN ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR & DEVELOPMENT

External Factors in Maladjustment

1 Exaggerated Physical Deficiencies (organ inferiority)

2 Pampered Style of Life

3 Neglected Style of Life

Safeguarding Tendencies

1 Excuses

2 Aggression

Protects life style - 3 forms

A. Depreciation

B. Accusation

C. Self-accusation

3 Withdrawal

Safeguarding through distance - 4 forms

a. Moving backward

b. Standing still

c. Hesitating

d. Constructing obstacles

APPLICATIONS OF INDIVIDUAL PSYCHOLOGY

Family Constellation

Early Recollections

Dreams