PR473 - 20th Century Psychoanalysis

Originally published in 1929 the individual psychological interpretation of this autobiography was first presented by Alfred Adler to a group of psychiatrists and pedagogues in Vienna. The story of the development of a neurosis is told in this book. A young girl relates the fascinating story of her unhappy life, the psychologist comments on her remarks and leads the reader to an understanding of the blunders and mistakes which have made her life so full of suffering. Publication of this book in its day was intended to bring the growing interest in Adler's Individual Psychology to a wider audience. Today it can be read and enjoyed in its historical context.

Two key ideas in Alfred Adler's thinking are reflected in these twenty-one papers: the individual's striving toward some kind of individually conceived superiority, perfection, or success and the healthy person's need to connect that striving with social interest--concern for the common good. The selections provide a survey of the wide range of Adler's theories and clinical experience and they include a long essay on religion and individual psychology and Adler's account of his differences with Freud. Each selection is given in its entirety, and the volume contains a biographical essay on Adler by his earliest important co-worker, Carl Furtmüller, and an extensive bibliography of Adler's writings.

Alfred Alder's 1924 work was penned as the science of individual psychology was gaining increasing credibility and recognition. The volume covers the range of psychological issues understood at the time, whilst recognising the inevitable developments in the field as scientific knowledge and experimentation grew.

Adler provides a practical understanding of how childhood shapes adult life, which in turn might benefit society as a whole. Unlike the culturally elitist Freud, Adler believed that the work of understanding should not be the preserve of psychologists alone, but a vital undertaking for everyone to pursue, given the bad consequences of ignorance. This approach to psychology was unusually democratic for psychoanalytic circles. It is a work that anyone can read and understand.

Originally published in 1930, this title looks at the education of children. Adler believes the problems from a psychological point of view are the same as for adults, that of self-knowledge and rational self-direction. However, the difference being that due to the 'immaturity of children, the question of guidance - never wholly absent in the case of adults - takes on supreme importance.' The title starts by presenting the Individual Psychology viewpoint as a whole, with the later chapters undertaking to tackle in more depth the various interrelated problems of children's education.

Written in 1929, this study gathers together case histories of Adlerian psychology and the science of Individual Psychology that teaches that the recurring theme of all neurosis and conflict is a sense of discouragement and inferiority.