Adler's Theory Of Motivation: Striving For Superiority

Adler’s Theory of Motivation consists of two major concepts, one being Striving for Superiority and the other being Style of Life. Adler suggests that all humans aim to succeed in life and that the human’s psyche primary objective is to strive for superiority, mastery, and competence. This natural drive involves the desire to be effective in whatever one strives to do. Adler’s Style of Life is the way an individual navigates one’s social map to overcome feelings of inferiority and develop superiority in a unique way. Adler’s definition of superiority does not mean the everyday definition of superiority. It does not mean that we seek to be better than all of our peers, rather it involves the desire to be effective and competent in whatever …show more content…
He thinks that this strive “runs parallel to physical growth and is an intrinsic necessity of life itself”. Humans strive for conquest and/or security either in the right or wrong direction (Engler 2014). This strive for superiority exists because humans feel inferiority which leads to propel the motivating force of growth. Adler has an interesting take on where these feelings of inferiority may arise from. As a physician, he observed that many of his patients had complaints in specific regions of their body. He hypothesized that the “weak organ” could not respond adequately to the external stimulus of the environment. This “organ inferiority” could be the reason why his patients experienced pain and disorders, but it could also be compensated for and lead to optimal achievements. He observed that many people who had these deficiencies also seemed to be high achievers. Our overall attitude on life seems to not only fill in our gaps of weakness but also seem to push us to excel and …show more content…
For example, a person might channel their feelings of inferiority into studying while another might channel this energy into physical exercise. He believes that each individual has their own unique way of striving which depends on the manner of meeting the difficulties life presents. We each have our own way of compensating for the inferiorities and inadequacies we have felt. He even proposes that our lifestyle is established as early as five years old and are normally held consistent throughout life. Adler believes that our first memory will show humans their fundamental view of life (Adler 1931). “Early recollections give us hints and clues in revealing what one regards as values to be aimed for and what one sense as dangers to be avoided” (Adler 1937). Our earliest memory will establish the foundation of our outlook on life. Styles of life are formed by inner goals and a combination of forces in the environment. Adler believes no two people share the same style of life, not even identical twins