''The Practice and Theory of Individual Psychology'' is a work on

psychology Psychology is the scientific study of mind and behavior. Its subject matter includes the behavior of humans and nonhumans, both consciousness, conscious and Unconscious mind, unconscious phenomena, and mental processes such as thoughts, feel ...

Alfred Adler Alfred Adler ( ; ; 7 February 1870 – 28 May 1937) was an Austrian medical doctor, psychotherapist, and founder of the school of individual psychology. His emphasis on the importance of feelings of belonging, relationships within the family, a ...

, first published in 1924. In his work, Adler develops his

personality theory Personality psychology is a branch of psychology that examines personality and its variation among individuals. It aims to show how people are individually different due to psychological forces. Its areas of focus include: * Describing what per ...

, suggesting that the situation into which a person is born, such as family size, sex of siblings, and

birth order Birth order refers to the order a child is born in their family; firstborn, first-born and second-born are examples. Birth order is often believed to have a profound and lasting effect on psychological development. This assertion has been repeated ...

, plays an important part in

personality development Personality development encompasses the dynamic construction and deconstruction of integrative characteristics that distinguish an individual in terms of interpersonal behavioral traits. Personality development is ever-changing and subject to cont ...

. Adler is among the many therapists who have noted the significance and impact of the relationship between attitudes towards oneself and others, and highlighting the relationship between regard for self and love of another. Adler claimed that the tendency to disparage others arises out of feelings of inferiority. Adler also describes

the self In philosophy, the self is an individual's own being, knowledge, and values, and the relationship between these attributes. The first-person perspective distinguishes selfhood from personal identity. Whereas "identity" is (literally) samen ...

as part of a reflection of the thoughts of others, seeing

self-esteem Self-esteem is confidence in one's own worth, abilities, or morals. Self-esteem encompasses beliefs about oneself (for example, "I am loved", "I am worthy") as well as emotional states, such as triumph, despair, pride, and shame. Smith and Macki ...

as determined, in part, by feelings toward significant others. According to Adler, people are inherently motivated to engage in social activities, relate to other people, and acquire a style of life that is fundamentally social in nature.Pryor, Deborah B., and Toni R. Tollerud. "Applications of Adlerian principles in school settings." ''Professional School Counseling'' 2, no. 4 (1999): 299.

References

External links

* Full text of
The Practice and Theory of Individual Psychology
' (second edition) at the Internet Archive 1924 non-fiction books Psychology books {{Psych-book-stub