What is Adlerian Psychology?

Morning Sun on the Crast, Painting by Ernst Platz, 1910

Adlerian Psychology, also known as Individual Psychology, is a psychodynamic framework developed by Alfred Adler that focuses on the holistic and social nature of the individual. Contrary to Freud’s approach that was more concentrated on internal drives and sexual conflicts, Adler believed that understanding a person required looking into both internal dynamics and external social contexts. The term "individual" in Adler’s theory refers not to isolation but to indivisibility, which highlights the importance of seeing a person as a unified whole rather than a collection of fragmented parts.

At the centre of Adlerian Psychology is the idea that humans are primarily motivated by a deep need for superiority and self-improvement. This drive usually comes from early in life as a response to feelings of inferiority that often come up during childhood. Adler understood these feelings as universal and even beneficial when managed constructively, rather than viewing these feelings as pathological. When individuals pursue personal growth through socially beneficial goals, such as helping others or contributing to their community, this can lead to the betterment of mental health.

The Bee Friend, Painting by Hans Thoma, 1863-1964

However, problems can come up when this innate drive is distorted. If an individual becomes overly fixated on overcoming inferiority in self-serving or socially disconnected ways, maladaptive behaviours can develop as a result. For example, striving for superiority can seem arrogant, controlling, or avoidant, rather than genuine growth. In Adlerian theory, such behaviour is seen as compensatory as an attempt to mask or escape underlying insecurity rather than to resolve it through meaningful relationships with others.

A main concept in Adlerian Psychology is “social interest,” which refers to an individual’s sense of connectedness and responsibility toward others. Adler believed that true psychological wellness happens when people feel they belong and are actively contributing to the wellness of those around them. Therapy from this perspective focuses on building social interest, making goals, and challenging distorted beliefs from early life experiences. Understanding family dynamics, birth order, and early memories is also crucial in identifying patterns that shape the individual’s worldview.

For both clinicians and patients, Adlerian Psychology provides a deeply humanistic vision of change focused on social connections and personal responsibility. In psychodynamic practice, this approach continues to influence relational and integrative approaches that prioritize meaning-making, community, and the exploration of an individual’s purpose.