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www.ADLER-MAPS.com
MAPS, McAbee
Adlerian Psychology Society
for Maryland,
Metropolitan DC, and Mid-Atlantic Adlerians
MAPS, the McAbee Adlerian Psychology
Society is the
regional affiliate of NASAP, the North American Society
of Adlerian Psychology, whose mission is the promotion of Adlerian
principles and practices. Our
name honors founder Hal McAbee, beloved Adlerian. Read
about MAPS' History.
We hold a conference each
fall, usually in late September or early October. Information on
the next one will be posted here once it is available.
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Understanding:
"To
see with the eyes of others, to walk in the shoes of others, and, to
feel with the heart of others."
Alfred
Adler
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"
Our ability to function depends on our feeling of belonging."
"We
have harmony only among equals"
Rudolf
Dreikurs
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ABOUT
ADLERIAN PSYCHOLOGY
BASIC PRINCIPLES OF ADLERIAN PSYCHOLOGY {from
UK Adlerian Society web
site} ref: Dewey E. (1978) Coral Springs CMTI Press
Socially
Embedded
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This
contrasts with a hereditary or biological basis of behaviour.
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We
are social beings who want 'to belong' and find our place in the group.
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All
our problems are basically social problems around interacting with
others.
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The group is the field in which we move even if we move away
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Our ability to cooperate and to contribute is a measure of
our mental health. (Community feeling/Social interest -
Gemeinschaftsgefühl) A well adjusted
person behaves in line with the needs of a situation
A mal-adjusted person has faulty concepts, personal feelings of
inferiority and mistaken goals. She/he is overly concerned with What is
in it for me or What others think of me. Self determining and
creative
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Contrasts with mechanistic/deterministic theories.
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We are active participants who not only react, we act
and can change interactions by what we do. We can shape aspects of our
own destiny.
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We decide what we will do, we are not victims of
drives. Therefore, we can change, even if we are powerless to
change a situation, we can change our response to it. Contrasts with
mechanistic/deterministic theories. Goal Directed or
Teleological
- Contrasts with causal evaluation of behaviour
- Our behaviour is purposive (although we are often unaware of
the purpose)
- We are not pushed by causes, but pulled by goals and our own
dynamic striving
- Causes usually cannot be changed but goals, once recognised,
offer a choice.
Subjective
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Contrasts with an assumption of absolutes
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We give meaning to life, reality is as we perceive it.
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We cannot be objective about ourselves and our interpretation
of experience
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There is no absolute truth for us, reality or truth is how we
feel, what it means to us.
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Heredity or environment are not as important as what meaning
we give them 'A psychology of use, not possession'
Holism
- Contrasts with a reductionist view
- A part is never understood by itself.
- A whole is more than the sum of the parts.
- We always look for patterns into which the details will
fit. (we can perceive the design of a mosaic without separating the
pieces)
Adlerian Counseling
Techniques from Bowie State
University
"Unfortunately, many value-free therapeutic approaches
relieve personal distress, but reinforce self-centeredness. Classical
Adlerian psychotherapy, with its emphasis on social equality, mutual
respect, cooperation, responsibility, and contribution, provides the
means of re-vitalizing democracy by addressing the core of
problem--correcting undemocratic character structures.” http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/hstein/relevanc.htm
"In Adlerian psychotherapy, clients are encouraged to
overcome their feelings of insecurity, develop deeper feelings of
connectedness, and to redirect their striving for significance into
more socially beneficial directions. Through a respectful
Socratic dialogue, they are challenged to correct mistaken assumptions,
attitudes, behaviors and feelings about themselves and the world.
Constant encouragement stimulates clients to attempt what was
previously felt as impossible. The growth of confidence, pride,
and gratification leads to a greater desire and ability to
cooperate. The objective of therapy is to replace exaggerated
self-protection, self-enhancement, and self-indulgence with courageous
social contribution." ( from: http://www.strisik.com/therapy/approaches.htm )
Alfred Adler's (1870 - 1937) contributions are based on the need to
understand individuals within their social context. As early as 1900,
he began addressing such crucial concepts and issues as equality in
relationships, parent education, the influence of family constellation,
life style, and the holism of individuals. Adler was commissioned to
develop child guidance centers and thousands of teachers were trained
through demonstrations and lectures. He had a strong commitment to
education and to the training of teachers, believing that teachers were
among the most influential professionals in society.
Adler developed his social psychological, developmental,
cognitive personality theory between 1911 and 1937. Central to his
theory is the individual as a unitary, goal directed and creative self.
According to Adler, a person not only reacts to the environment in a
unitary manner, but also the mind and body is interrelated in its
function. Individual's need to belong, to feel connected to others and
to contribute to the greater good of the community. Adlerian theory
recognizes humans are influenced by their social setting and that their
characteristics are developed within this social context and
importantly, that all behavior has a purpose.
A person's short term goals are congruent with and in
line with, his or her long term goals. The goals are an integrating
factor in a person's Life Style, which is an individual's cognitive map
for dealing with life, and is a person's law of movement. We have a
choice in formulating goals even considering our heredity and
environment. It is not what we are born with, but what we do with it.
Each person has a creative, inventive power which aids him or her in
setting a path in life. Adlerian Psychology is optimistic in that as
individuals we can make choices and thus are able to change if we
choose.
Dr. Rudolf Dreikurs, a follower of Adler, took over and
expanded the centers even more. Out of these beginnings: Children the
Challenge, Maintaining Sanity in the Classroom, Systematic Training for
Effective Parenting (STEP), Systematic Training for Effective Teaching
(STET) and Co-operative Discipline were developed. These programs are
now used world-wide because of their practical ability to help people
achieve more harmonious relationships."
"This
mistaken idea of the importance of mistakes leads us to a mistaken
concept of ourselves. We become overly impressed by everything that is
wrong in us and around us. To be human does not mean to be right, does
not mean to be perfect. To be human means to be useful, to make
contributions - not for oneself, but for others - to take what there is
and make the best out of it.” - Rudolf Dreikurs
(from Terner, J., & Pew, W. L. The Courage to be Imperfect:
The Life and Work of Rudolf Dreikurs. New York: Hawthorn Books, 1978.)
Interesting Web Sites and
Articles on Adlerian Psychology:
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Ferdinand Tonnies on Community
(Gesellschaft-Gemeinschaft)
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Positive
Teaching Resources
For
Parents & Teachers
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On Parenting:
Govern a family as you would a small
fish – very gently.
~ Chinese proverb
It is easier to build strong children than to
repair broken men. ~ Frederick
Douglass
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ADLERIAN EVENTS CALENDAR
(Click here
for NASAP'S List of Professional Development Courses)
Upcoming Events:
Past
Events:
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