Alfred Adler Psychological Theories

The Will to Power

For Adler many of these feelings of inferiority were based in early infancy when we are literally powerless. We spend the rest of our lives trying to compensate for this early lack of power and to go on to gain more control of our lives. We spend our lives striving for the impossible goal of perfection - the fictional finalism.

Adler believed people to be more conscious than unconscious. What we are and how we relate to the world is a conscious choice not one we can blame on unconsious influences. He divided social styles into four basic types: Ruling, Getting, Avoiding and Socially Useful.

Adler and Dream Theory

Adlerian dream analysis involves looking at the parts of a dream and analysing what problems or inferiorities they might represent. Then how we act in response to those dream elements represents a way of overcoming the issue. The method indicated by the dream might be realistic - a dress-reheasal for life - or totally unrealistic wish-fulfillment.

For example, a dream about falling could express a direct fear - especially if the dreamer is soon to fly or climb a mountain. However it could be subtler, representing a "fall from grace" or loss of face and social standing. If the dreamer were then to be caught by an angel it might have religious or spiritual meaning or simply refer to trusting and relying on one special person.

By showing us our innermost fears and our preferred strategies for dealing with problems, dreams also tell us a lot about our personality and style of life.

IMPORTANT: Dream analysis can be traumatic. This is not a medical site. If you suspect you have a medical problem or serious emotional disturbance you should consult your doctor.