Sources for Classical Adlerian Theory

Carmen,

Heinz and Rowena Ansbacher's books, "The Individual Psychology of Alfred Adler," and "Superiority and Social Interest," are excellent, reliable sources of Adler's ideas in an organized, edited format. For the most complete and accurate information, one would have to read Adler's books and journal articles in their entirety.

For the past three years, the Adlerian Translation Project has been collecting, translating, and editing all of Alfred Adler's untranslated journal articles, lectures, and unpublished manuscripts. We are also re-translating several books, like "The Neurotic Constitution," that were poorly translated many years ago. "The Collected Works of Alfred Adler" will provide a more comprehensive resource for study and research.

An understanding of Adlerian theory and practice can be enriched by reading other Classical Adlerians. "The Collected Works of Lydia Sicher: An Adlerian Perspective," by Adele Davidson is a valuable book that is currently available. The writings of Alexander Müller, Sophia de Vries, and Anthony Bruck will be published in the near future.

Rudolf Dreikurs began working with Adler in Europe, but after Adler's death, he eventually developed his own approach which should be called "Dreikursian Psychology," since he declared his own theoretical position to be "between that of Adler and that of Karen Horney." Dreikurs attempted to simplify and popularize Adlerian ideas, and eventually became well known for his contributions to child guidance and parent education.

The major differences between Classical Adlerian and Dreikursian are in the style and technique of treatment. Classical Adlerian psychotherapy is creative, diplomatic, and Socratic. Insight is unfolded gradually, after substantial encouragement. The twelve stages of treatment have the potential for dissolving the client's inferiority feelings, style of life, and fictional goal.

The Dreikursian approach is more systematic, directive, and didactic. Insight is offered very early in the form of a summary. Four stages of treatment focus on a positive re- direction of the existing style of life.

For additional information, please read "The Twelve Stages of Classical Adlerian Psychotherapy" and "Adler and Socrates: Similarities and Differences," on the Alfred Adler Institute of San Francisco home page, at http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/hstein

Replies:

There are no replies to this message.

| Behavior OnLine Home Page | Disclaimer |

Copyright © 1996-2004 Behavior OnLine, Inc. All rights reserved.