Alfred Adler

Alfred Adler (1870–1937) was an Austrian physician and psychiatrist, the founder of individual psychology. Initially a collaborator of Sigmund Freud, he broke away in 1911 and developed his own psychological system. At the heart of his theory is the idea that people act driven by a desire to overcome feelings of inferiority and achieve life goals. Adler emphasized the importance of social factors, interpersonal relationships, and a sense of belonging.

His theories had a significant impact on the development of humanistic psychology, psychotherapy, and pedagogy. He introduced concepts such as “inferiority complex” and “lifestyle,” emphasizing the role of upbringing and early life experiences.

Among his most famous works are “The Nature of Man” (1927), “The Meaning of Life” (1931), “Individual Psychology” (1956, posthumously), and “The Practice and Theory of Individual Psychology” (1927).

Adler founded family and school counseling clinics, promoting the idea of ​​a socially useful life. His legacy lives on in numerous psychotherapy schools and educational approaches around the world.