Adding Cognitive Science to Adlerian Theory

Dr. Stein,

Thank you for responding to my post.I had in mind some of what Peter commented on, as well as other commonalities between Adlerian theory and cognitive/cognitive-behavioral/ constructivist models.

In addition to a creative, ego-centered approach to apprehending reality, I see commonalities between methods. For instance, in acting "as if", a person is "testing out" their hypotheses about self, others, and the world... as well as alternative hypotheses. In looking at early recollections, the therapist assesses the person's learning history and core belief system. (I know that ERs are not veridical, in the sense of stimulus-response theory, but I look at learning theory from a social-learning perspective.)

There is some social psychology research that supports and expands upon the concepts of early recollections. Social psychologists Miller, Potts, Fung, Hoogstra, and Mintz (1990) described cross-cultural research into the social construction of self-concept or personal narrative that both supports Adlerian theory, and provides insight into specific mechanisms by which beliefs about self and other come to be what they do. This kind of basic research could, I think, be put to good use by Adlerians, as empirical validation of Adlerian constructs.

Similarly, there is research in cognitive neuroscience that supports information-processing models that fit well with CBT, constructivist, and Adlerian theories. (I don't have the references in front of me at the moment, but it's not even terribly new research... certainly at least 4-6 years old.)

However, most areas within psychology seems reluctant to look to other areas of the field for verification of basic constructs... it's hard to read broadly enough, for one thing. And then there's an inherent territoriality in what we do, particularly when we create something that has a new twist and we want to call it ours.

At APA a couple of years ago, I wandered into a session that was on cognitive neuroscience. At first, my inclination was to leave... not the place for a practitioner, I thought. But I stayed, because it was a fun and quirky thing to do. And I discovered that the neuroscientists were "discovering" things that clinicians -- particularly Adlerian and Cognitive clinicians -- could have told them, or at least contributed to... and I realized that the lack of communication was reciprocal.We'd all support the profession of psychology better if we paid attention to our more scientific peers.

Regards,

Carol (Logging off for network maintenance)

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