Cumulative Discussion of CCWAA, Vol. 6, Chapt. I-XXVII

[Henry Stein]

On August 8th, we will begin a discussion of The Collected Clinical Works of Alfred Adler, Volume 6, Chapters I & II. The following chapter summaries were prepared by Manu Jaaskelainen

Ch.I in Vol. 6 of CCWAA Character and Talent (1927) is a paper on the thesis that talent is not inherited, and that the possibilities and potentialities of any individual for performance are not fixed. Intellectual and other talents are not separated from the totality of the personality. One must first understand this totality before attempting to judge the level of performance in any sensible way. Adler begins his paper with a presentation of a case study that demonstrates that there are different factors in the environment and personality that influence the functioning of performance. To evaluate the level of performance solely on the basis of any individual and isolated test produces no sensible results. What is needed is a total study of human individual personality. "What would one of our modern vocational guidance psychologists have said to the young Beethoven? Would he have prophesied talent as a musician? Certainly not. He would have made a shoe salesman out of him, would have directed him to leave music strictly alone." Here we are again back at a one basic Adlerian idea: that it is not the talent, it is not smooth progress that prepares one for greatness, it is the difficulties and the defects the individual has, and how he overcomes these difficulties.

Ch. II, The Feeling of Inferiority and the Striving for Recognition (1927) is a paper on the basic human need to compensate for the feeling of inferiority with an increased quest for recognition. Adler writes against demanding more than the child can accomplish. "At this point most of our errors in education commence." Adler says that the educators should never use physical or psychological punishment, not ridicule children, or humiliate them in any ways. Children often react to an increased feeling of inferiority with an increased need for recognition. "We must not expect a child to have the correct estimation of himself in any situation, just as we do not expect it of adults." In order to compensate for a feeling of insecurity produced by induced inferiority, the child has an increased need for recognition, at any price. "In the forefront of these manifestations we find pride, vanity, and the striving to conquer everyone at any price." All this is very counter-productive from the viewpoint of the community-feeling and social solidarity. Therefore, the educators should not provoke the inferiority feeling that with a great probability will produce heightened striving for power.

To order your copy of Volume 6, go to http://www.Adlerian.us/cwaa-v6.htm .

[Henry Stein]

On August 15th, we will begin a discussion of The Collected Clinical Works of Alfred Adler, Volume 6, Chapters III-V. The following chapter summaries were prepared by Manu Jaaskelainen

Ch. III Linkages Between Neurosis and a Joke (1927) is a paper on the relationships between neurosis and jokes. Adler introduces a concept of "frame of reference", and says that a normal human and a neurotic have different frames of reference, even if they may verbally agree with one another about the right frame of reference. A humorous anecdote has similar strains. "While a listener to such an anecdote brings to it the normal frame of reference, the teller of the story suddenly introduces another frame of reference that relates only marginally to the first but otherwise provides a wholly new insight. A short, well-known anecdote will show how these two frames of reference collide and thus give the story a comical, peculiar, and conspicuous aspect." A joke "is a revolt against the normal social point of view." The neurosis reminds one more of a bad joke because the actual frames of reference appear invalid from the standpoint of Individual Psychology.

Ch. IV More on Individual Psychological Dream Theory (1927) is another paper on dreams. According to Adler, "The dream shows traces of a probing for a way the dreamer will attempt to solve an existing problem in accordance with his style of life." However, the dream is also 1) a means toward self-delusion necessary for the dreamer to solve his problem not logically and realistically, but in accordance with his goal of superiority, and 2) the dream has the task of creating the mood in the context of this self-delusion.

Ch. V The Cause and Prevention of Neuroses (1927) is a paper on a very important theme. Adler says that the title is essentially about the feeling of inferiority, and how to prevent it. Adler lists the three challenges the life provides, and concludes that one of the most important problems is the lack of courage in face of concrete challenges posed by life. If a wrong method of overcoming the challenges is chosen, the child is handicapped for rest of his life because he was not able to solve his problems in a satisfactory way. This is one of the roots of neurosis. "In every single reaction you can recognize the attitude toward life if you have previously grasped the distortion of the personality." The first step is understanding; after this, the client should himself/herself work himself out toward a personal understanding of his/her problems so they can be overcome.

To order your copy of Volume 6, go to http://go.ourworld.nu/hstein/cwaa-v6.htm .

[Trevor Hjertaas]

The most powerful impression I have when reading these chapters is of the profound clinical wisdom of Adler. His depth of understanding and keen insight make one very sorry that he did not live for another 20 years. One can only speculate what he might have achieved.

Trevor Hjertaas, Psy. D.

[Henry Stein]

On August 22nd, we will begin a discussion of The Collected Clinical Works of Alfred Adler, Volume 6, Chapters VI & VII. The following chapter summaries were prepared by Manu Jaaskelainen

Ch. VI Education for Courage (1927) is a paper on educational ideals. The ideals must be 1) universal, 2) they must be intelligible, and 3) they must guarantee to be generally beneficial. By universality Adler means that "any system that tends to divide youngsters in the sense that it makes some to be subservient and others to become a ruling caste must be eliminated." The educator must first of all seek to foster striving and courage among his pupils and not restrict them. It is important to help all children reach their goals, not only some children with special talents. Courage must be enhanced because the children and young people should have opportunities for personal growth; this is possible only if the children are willing to take on their challenges.

Ch. VII Individual Psychology and Science (1927) is an examination of Individual Psychology from the point of view of the idea of scientific psychology. Adler starts his study with some examples on lying behavior. Adler concludes that IP is the most adequate method to study this question. Adler's arguments are very detailed and interesting; the reader should study the original text with care. On this discussion forum, there were some earlier comments of this that might prove useful. Adler lists some academic psychologists: Spranger, Köhler, William Stern, Messer, Goldstein, William Brown, Stark, Stanley hall, Morton Prince etc., who have worked in the same spirit as IP, and asks, what is the extra value that IP contributes. Adler rejects the idea that IP should leave the scientific psychology alone and concentrate only on psychotherapy. Adler argues that IP has been able to find ways of interpretation that the other psychologies were not able to find. Interpreting individual problems is the business of IP, and without scientific rationale this would not be possible. "Since we Individual Psychologists seek to establish in movement the correct facts concerning a psychological impulse, we try to uncover the contents of the psychological impulse."

To order your copy of Volume 6, go to http://go.ourworld.nu/hstein/cwaa-v6.htm .

[Henry Stein]

Trevor,

You raise a very profound point. Lydia Sicher, in an unpublished manuscript, speculated on the potential contributions of Individual Psychology to the fields of medicine, sociology, economics, pedagogy, research psychology, art, theology, and political science. Quoting Sicher: "The place of IP is to observe whether the problems are solved in a positive, constructive way, or in a destructive, asocial manner."

Alexander Mueller also addressed a similar perspective. In his unpublished manuscript, Alfred Adler's Individual Psychology - Overview of Central Concepts and Future Development, he states: "It is possible that the various disciplines that pursue the study of man reach the conclusion that their efforts address only particular aspects of human life. Possibly, all these disciplines will come together in a united 'study of human nature,' resulting in a comprehensive anthropology."

Had Adler lived another twenty years, he might have spearheaded such developments.

[Henry Stein]

(Re: Vol.6, Ch. 1)

The theme of "overcoming difficulties" has recently been highlighted by a series of books on "resilience" and building strength on adversity: I am the Central Park Jogger: A Story of Hope and Possibility, by Trisha Meli; The Resilience Factor, by Karen Reivich and Andrew Shatte; Resilience at Work: How to Succeed No Matter What Life Throws at You, by Salvatore Maddi and Deborah Koshaba; and The Resilience Advantage, by Al Siebert. Meli's story of a "mega-recovery" stresses: optimism, goal-setting, focusing on the present, courage, and a willingness to accept help.

[Henry Stein]

(Re: Vol. 6, Ch. VII)

Anthony Bruck, who was trained by Adler, was creative at encouraging children and adults to persist in their striving to solve a problem. One of the graphics he used with both was "Breaking Out of the Vicious Circle of Self-Discouragement," online at http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/hstein/circle.htm.

[Henry Stein]

On August 29th, we will begin a discussion of The Collected Clinical Works of Alfred Adler, Volume 6, Chapters VIII & IX. The following chapter summaries were prepared by Manu Jaaskelainen

Ch. VIII Alfred Adler on America (1927) is a summary of Adler's address to the International Association for Individual Psychology. The summary was written by Dr. L.Zilahi, an enthusiastic editor-in-chief of the Int. Journal of IP (his name is mentioned in Bottome's biography of Adler). The address was given in German, and presented in Vienna after his stay in the United States. The best account so far about Adler's relations to the United States has been written by Edward Hoffman. The whole Part Two of his "The Drive for Self" (a biography of Adler) is devoted to Adler's years in the US. Part Two begins with a citation by Adler: "The United States is like an ocean. An individual has infinite possibilities for development in such a country, but he also has greater difficulties to overcome." All in all, Adler's attitude to the US was very positive. In the paper, Adler says that the ideas presented in the context of "Mental Hygiene" are very much the same as the ideas presented by Individual Psychologists. Adler's evaluation of the universities in he US is very positive: "...universities form no closed circle, but are open and accessible to every intelligent person seeking an education." Adler defined in American life two important poles: srong personal ambition, and a strong striving for organized groups. Adler noted the strong position the feminist ideas have in America. "However, since women effectively control only certain spheres of activities because they do not yet have the same opportunities as men, they have assumed some of these spheres exclusively for themselves, for example, the enormous striving fo education that dominates the American people." Adler also notes that the children in the US are in general more spoiled in the US than in Europe. All in all, Adler found a very positive response to his ideas in the US.

Ch. IX Feelings and Emotions From the Standpoint of Individual Psychology (1928) is a paper on the importance of feelings and emotions. Adler begins saying that the attitudes alone do not determine the actions of the individual; feelings and emotions have their say, too. Emotions may have biological roots, but IP is more interested in the psychological foundations of emotions. Adler rejects the psychoanalytic idea that anxiety arises because sexual impulses have been suppressed. "It can be taken for granted that every bodily and mental power must have inherited material, but what we see in mind and psyche is the use of this material toward certain goal." Adler discusses at some length some emotions. About social feeling Adler says that the mother has a special role in the development of this emotion. Then there are neurotic actions on the useless side: the background is the lack of social feeling, lack of courage, and lack of self-confidence. The most important single factor is inferiority feeling. Adler concludes his discussion with some interesting remarks concerning the interaction of human organs and the environment.

To order your copy of Volume 6, go to http://go.ourworld.nu/hstein/cwaa-v6.htm .

[Henry Stein]

On August 29th, we will begin a discussion of The Collected Clinical Works of Alfred Adler, Volume 6, Chapters X & XI. The following chapter summaries were prepared by Manu Jaaskelainen.

Ch. X Erotic Training and Erotic Retreat (1928) is a study on sexuality, love and human relationships. The paper begins with an interesting statement that has value even today: "The importance of biology and the progress made in that field, particularly with regard to our problem, would make it appropriate that I approach significant issues from a different viewpoint." Today, Adler would like to say: because biology has made such a great progress in molecular biology, in the study of the mechanisms of inheritance, and in analyzing the systems of evolution, we should take a different view, and approach psychological problems from the viewpoint of the individual who is the one and only unit with unique experiences, unique emotions, individual goals, and individual strivings, etc. So Adler wants to avoid here to take up the issues of organ inferiority, and instead he studies the generalized feeling of inferiority - an important difference! Adler continues presenting some statements on training and lifestyle. Lifestyle is something that expresses itself in every sphere of life, even in sexuality. For normal sexual life, social consciousness,sensitivity, and logic are needed. All this might be somewhat surprising when talking about sexuality, but sexuality and love are for Adler only one of the many manifestations of the person's life sphere.

Ch. XI The Burning of Widows and Widow Neurosis (1928) is a paper on the psychology of women. In the age of feminism, this is a somewhat dangerous statement but Adler's argument is that the social circumstances of women in the first decades of the 20th century were very difficult for women, especially if they were widowed. Adler approaches these problems in the light of some case studies. "Frequently, a woman who suddenly becomes widowed has seemed earlier to be perfectly healthy. Suddenly, the situation changes." Adler says also that problems of this same type occur in men who become widowers - there is depression and melancholia, loss of weight, loss of sleep, and self-reproach.

To order your copy of Volume 6, go to http://go.ourworld.nu/hstein/cwaa-v6.htm .

[Trevor Hjertaas]

You often read of a sense of security being associated with the final, fictive goal of some people. Somewhere I recall reading that Adler would occassionally advise patients that there actually was not any true security in life (presumably as a means to help them come to terms with the difficulties of existence).

I cannot, however, locate such a passage. Does anyone else recall reading something along these lines?

Trevor Hjertaas, Psy. D.

[Henry Stein]

On September 5th, we will begin a discussion of The Collected Clinical Works of Alfred Adler, Volume 6, Chapters XII & XIIII. The following chapter summaries were prepared by Manu Jaaskelainen.

Ch. XII Reason, Intelligence, and Feeble-Mindedness (1928) is one of the most important by Adler (this conjecture can, of course, be debated). Adler defines himself the main message of his paper that the article is about the fundamental difference between reason and mere intelligence. The first part of the paper is a discussion on social interest, identification, and empathy. Reason is for Adler a valid category which is related to social interest. The second part is about reason and common sense. Here Adler defines reason as that intelligence which contains social interest and concentrates on that which is socially useful. Reasonable is what one understand by common sense. Third part of the paper contains a discussion on "private intelligence" which is the use of intelligence for neurotic goals. Fourth part contains a discussion about feeble-mindedness which is defined by Adler as incapacity to arrive at the formation of a life-plan. This way of defining feeble-mindedness is rather different from the usual clinical methods, and provides a thought-provoking and unorthodox perspective.

Ch. XIII Neurotic Role Play (1928) is a case study on the problems experienced by a neurotic client. The paper contains a number of quotations from two letters written by a neurotic person, and Adler's interpretative comments. In his first letter, the man describes his neurotic problems, and tells that he wants to be Adler's client, but Adler rejected treatment (at this time, Adler spent long periods of time abroad). In his second letter, the "client" describes how he had started to think about his life-situation in the light of a lecture held by Adler (this lecture was the original impulse to contact Adler in a letter). In this long letter, the "client" has himself made a self-diagnosis, and he says that now he understand his problems better than earlier. He makes some confessions concerning his "neurotic sins" (this term is by the reviewer, not by Adler), and he feels that his burden is now lighter than it was. He says: "I now believe that I could have led my life more courageously, and I shall try to do so." One year later, the man visited Adler. He had lost all his neurotic symptoms without assuming new ones.

To order your copy of Volume 6, go to http://go.ourworld.nu/hstein/cwaa-v6.htm .

[Manu Jaaskelainen]

The idea mentioned by Trevor sounds very familiar to me. I have tried to trace this kind of text in some volumes of CCWAA, but have so far not succeeded. However, I feel that the idea inherent in the concept of "security" implies that it is a fiction, and that there is no "final security". Adler uses the concept of "security" very ofetn. Not quite so much as the concept of "perfection". Adler seems to think that there is some kind of communality between the concepts of security, perfection, completeness, and power. They all involve striving. One may add that absolute power, security, perfection, never exists. Only the striving exists. See Ansbacher & Ansbacher, p. 104. Stefan Zweig owes a whole chapter in his Vienna-memoirs for this idea of safety or security.

[Henry Stein]

Trevor,

Like Manu, I too seem to recall this idea, but cannot find it when searching Adler's writings. However, Alexander Mueller comes reasonably close to the concept. The followings excerpts are from his unpublished manuscript The Principles of Individual Psychology.

"When sustaining his life become's man's primary goal, then he can satisfy himself by meeting his needs. However, if he seeks 'absolute' security for his subsistence, or even if he seeks only a relative security when compared to that of others, then he thinks that his means are never sufficient.

We never know whether we shall be here tomorrow, but the probability for that is good. The courageous person lives with that probability; the discouraged person wants security - security with regard to life, and security with regard to success in every one of his possible undertakings. The reinforced striving for security can result in a striving for power.

When the tendencies for security and anxiety are reinforced and exaggerated, they can obstruct life itself. Since life exists amid risks and dangers, living in security cannot be realized. If man strives for absolute instead of relative security, then his life will be accompanied by anxiety, tension, and fear. The avoidance of danger will become the Leitmotif of his existence. It leads to a constricting of the radius of his life, to a distancing from various areas and tasks, and in the end to a retreat from life. Life is exchanged for an unreal feeling of security, which, however, is constantly being bruised and must repeatedly be secured anew, or recaptured by devious means."

[Henry Stein]

On September 12th, we will begin a discussion of The Collected Clinical Works of Alfred Adler, Volume 6, Chapters XIV & XV. The following chapter summaries were prepared by Manu Jaaskelainen.

Ch. XIV Psychology and Medicine (1928) is a paper on the foundations of medical psychology and psychotherapy. Adler appeals strongly for a psychological education of physicians. "It would not be possible for a physician to receive recognition if training in psychology does not augment his professional education." Adler says also, that the education of physicians in psychology has so far been minimal. Adler is very critical toward any forms of pessimism in medical practice. One may wonder today what that exactly means. However, in Vienna at the turn of the century the prevailing attitude among some highly respected physicians was "therapeutic nihilism": of course, we can diagnose; of course, we are not able to cure. It was this kind pessimism that Adler attacked. Although the possibilities of medical care are today definitely on a much higher level than in the beginning of the 20th century, the pessimistic attitude may still prevail among the professionals. Adler says also that the physicians cannot appear as magicians, sorcerers or such but only as fellow human beings. So it is important to find the proper balance between the almighty role of a "wonder-man" and the therapeutic pessimism ("nothing can be done"). At least, a professional can act like a compassionate fellow human. A number of other important questions are discussed in the paper, e.g. mind-body relationships and the problems of neurotic personality.

Ch. XV The Psychology of Power (1928) was originally published in a book on pacifism. Adler takes a critical position concerning the use of power in all spheres of life. "The result of individual and social psychological inquiry is therefore: The striving for personal power is a disastrous delusion and poisons man's living together. Whoever desires the human community must renounce the striving for power over others." As an antidote to power striving, Adler presents the idea of social interest. Adler argues that in the end social feeling always prevails. It is impossible to smother it. Adler refers to Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment: Raskolnikov must, before committing a murder, first lie in bed a month and meditate whether he is a louse or Napoleon. "We need the conscious preparation and advancement of a mighty social interest and the complete demolition of greed and power in the individual and in people."

To order your copy of Volume 6, go to http://go.ourworld.nu/hstein/cwaa-v6.htm .

[Trevor Hjertaas]

Thank you both. That is very helpful.

Trevor Hjertaas, Psy. D.

[Henry Stein]

On September 19th, we will begin a discussion of The Collected Clinical Works of Alfred Adler, Volume 6, Chapters XVI & XVII. The following chapter summaries were prepared by Manu Jaaskelainen.

Ch. XVI Individual Psychology and the Theory of Neurosis (1929) is paper on a recurrent theme in Adler's writings. In this version, a particular emphasis is given to social feeling. "The physical weakness of the individual in the face of nature, the limitations of life on this earth, actually require a sense of community to maintain life, and to force the development of a civilization and an organized division of labor. ... It probably is the weakness and inferiority of mankind in general, man's knowledge of death and threatening dangers, which produce social interest as an unavoidable complement and to provide relief." Psychological failures, like neurosis, are results of the inability to cooperate. Adler does not accept the trauma-theory. "All personal experiences have been assimilated early on by the fixed style of life." This life style is a unified whole, always characteristic to the individual. Neither does Adler accept the contrast of conscious and unconscious. The unconscious that Freud found, is a misguided striving for power.

Ch. XVII A Consultation (1929) is a case study. The paper itself is a real consultation between Adler and one Dr. L, and the report, the remarks, and the explanations are presented as recorded by a stenographer. About half of the chapter consists of a discussion with the mother. The paper provides a unique look at Adler's office; the report is presented, sentence by sentence, and Adler interprets it, sentence by sentence. Just a short example:

"The older brother is very handsome. He once had to repeat first grade in school, but now learns very well, is serious and mature."

When we hear of two brothers where the older has developed well and cannot be overtaken, the younger brother most of the time is a problem. If the younger advances well and comes close to the older and threatens the older's status, the older brother becomes a problem. That experience has been confirmed in this case. The older brother probably does not fail to point out to the younger brother that he is in remedial school."
To order your copy of Volume 6, go to http://go.ourworld.nu/hstein/cwaa-v6.htm .

[Henry Stein]

On September 26th, we will begin a discussion of The Collected Clinical Works of Alfred Adler, Volume 6, Chapters XVIII & XIX. The following chapter summaries were prepared by Manu Jaaskelainen.

Ch. XVIII Sleeplessness (1929) begins with an important statement: before concluding that the client may have some psychological problems, one should first carefully exclude all possible physical illnesses. However, if the conclusion is that the client has some psychological problems, one should study how the insomnia fits in with the whole personality. Emotions and tensions may be especially disturbing to sleep. Some unaccomplished tasks may be the reason why the sleep is disturbed. On the other hand, insomnia may be a method to impress other people: "I have not slept since my childhood." "I sleep only three or four hours." Adler devotes some space for the tricks people use in trying to get sleep; however, these tricks do, in actual fact, disturb their sleep (e.g. counting etc.). "Sleeplessness occurs only in a situation in which a person is confronted with a problem for which he is not prepared."

Ch. XIX The Individual Criminal and His Cure (1930g) begins with a statement on the relativity of the concept of normality: "The normal mind and normal individual do not exist. We all vary and only if we are fortunate and do not suffer from great mistakes, do we feel normal and behave rightly." All failures in life are really failures in building up a style of life. The most important task of psychology is to find out why so many people have peculiar attitudes which do not correspond with cooperation and social interest. The most important task of education is to train children in social interest. Neglected or pampered children are not able to cooperate. The paper is a study on private logic: on egoism, on greed, on the exclusion of other people. All people around the criminal are there only to satisfy the needs and cravings of this person. Many people find a feeling of superiority when they resist laws, police, and authorities in general. Adler proposes that special centers for crime prevention should be founded where "the methods of psychoanalysis, the gland specialists, the brain-pathologists, the behaviorists, and so forth should be tried and compared." Appended to this paper is summary of the ensuing discussion that is very interesting because several noted persons from the pre-WW II era in the National Committee on Prisons and Prison Labor took part in this debate. Adler's contribution was an address to this Committee.

To order your copy of Volume 6, go to http://go.ourworld.nu/hstein/cwaa-v6.htm .

[Manu Jaaskelainen]

Because the use of sleep-inducing medicines is today very wide-spread, I would appreciate some Adlerian comments on the use of these medicines. In some cases, they may be helpful, but very often they seem to cause more problems than to solve them.
Crime is a problem that is today much debated, possibly even more than in Adler's time. Another problem is the cruelty of the crime. Are there crimes that cannot be explained, or can we explain them all, with the help of psychology and sociology? Adler defines the "exclusion of others" as an important factor leading to crime. I would like to give a thought to this idea. How would you define it? It probably is a trait with many different outward expressions. It also includes some kind of insufficient social feeling, I think.

[Henry Stein]

On October 3rd, we will begin a discussion of The Collected Clinical Works of Alfred Adler, Volume 6, Chapters XX & XXI. The following chapter summaries were prepared by Manu Jaaskelainen.

Ch. XX Individual Psychology (1930) was originally published in a volume [i]Psychologies of 1930[i], a collection of papers from the representatives of various schools of psychology. Adler's paper begins with a reference to a work entitled "Der Aggressionstrieb im Leben und in der Neurose". Adler gives as a date of publication 1906; however, the paper was published in 1908, and it is reprinted in CCWAA, Vol. 2 as "The Aggression Drive in Life and in the Neurosis." In the paper of 1908, Adler expands the meaning of aggression in a notable way: he says that aggression is, in general, a way of dealing with the problems and obstacles occurring in the life space. Adler transfers this same concept to his paper of 1930. Adler refers also to his concept of organ inferiority, but here he says that what is essential is the experience of the inferiority, not the inferiority as such. Adler recapitulates the historical landmarks in the development of individual psychology, including his ideas of goal-directed striving and human sociability. For Adler, the basic task is to find the guiding thread of the client's life. This he finds comparing all details in his/her life. "Only a perfect coincidence of the whole and all the parts gives us the right to say: I understand."

Ch. XXI Again - The Unity of the Neuroses (1930) is a paper on the holistic nature of personality. "Indeed, we can only uncover the style of life when by abstracting we exclude less suitable ways of expressing it. It is the same with recognizing a style in painting, architecture, and music." So the method to find the essence of the personality is to study and comprehend the person's usual, repeated ways of expressing himself. Adler comments on Gestalt psychology and says that this school of psychology understands the idea of the dominating wholeness. However, Adler is not satisfied with mere Gestalt; every note must be related to the melody. "We are satisfied only when we have recognized in it the original driving attitude, for example in Bach, his lifestyle." In addition, the paper contains much critical polemics against psychoanalysis; however, this part of the chapter is today mainly of historical interest. There are some interesting case studies that illustrate Adler's arguments.

To order your copy of Volume 6, go to http://go.ourworld.nu/hstein/cwaa-v6.htm .

[Trevor Hjertaas]

I thought it was an interesting case presented in chapter XXI, which today would likely have been misdiagnosed as a psychotic depression and likely mishandled by a clinician who did not have an understanding of the lifestyle dynamics at work. You can vividly imagine the challenges which Adler must have had working with such a patient, and how very difficult the process must have been.

Trevor Hjertaas, Psy. D.

[Henry Stein]

On October 17th, we will begin a discussion of The Collected Clinical Works of Alfred Adler, Volume 6, Chapters XXII & XXIII. The following chapter summaries were prepared by Manu Jaaskelainen.

Ch. XXII A Case of Enuresis Diurnal (1930) is a paper on the problems of caused by enuresis. Adler defines enuresis as a movement that has a goal, even by indelicate means, of establishing contact with the mother. The paper is a stenographic case study. Adler says that it is not organic illness; this conception might not be viewed as totally accurate today. Some people feel that some problems in the CNS might contribute to this disturbance. Nor are we today ready to view this slight disturbance as such a great problem as earlier generations did. There has been other theories of this disturbance, e.g. the learning-theoretical version. However, Adler's case study is a very interesting one. He decries in eloquent fashion how the child attempt to establish contacts and closer relationships with grown-up persons. Adler describes how the child's attempts at communication have two basic traits: 1) organ inferiority of the bladder, 2) the child uses the language of the bladder. Adler presents his analysis of the situation of a 12 years old boy who had the feeling that he did not get enough love; the his symptoms began. "An accusation is the same as an attack."

Ch. XXIII Individual Psychology and Crime (1930) is a study on criminology. Adler points out that he has not been inquiring so much into particular crimes as into the lives of individual men and women. Adler says that all people, criminals or not, strive to reach a goal in future, by attaining which we will feel strong, superior, complete. Adler refers here to John Dewey, the US philosopher. Dewey prefers to call this phenomenon as the striving for security. It is not this striving as such that makes a criminal, but the direction his striving takes. A criminal fails to understand the demands of the social life, or to be concerned with his fellow-people. According to Adler, criminals are not insane. He rejects any ideas of biological or environmental determination. It can different in the case of some psychotic people, but these cases are rare. Really criminal actions are planned, and some presume a high level of criminal intelligence and private logic. Social interest is deeply disturbed, in some cases non-existent. "A criminal is not interested in others. He can cooperate only to a certain degree. When this degree is exhausted, he turns to crime. The exhaustion occurs when a problem is too difficult for him." Adler seems to think that it is necessary to have educational counseling at schools. The roots of this evil are in the development of young people. If a criminal lifestyle is adopted, someone should have the possibility to stop this type of development early, before any serious offenses are committed. There should be experts available to discuss with children their individual problems and to solve these problems in a constructive and creative way.

To order your copy of Volume 6, go to http://go.ourworld.nu/hstein/cwaa-v6.htm .

[Henry Stein]

On October 24th, we will begin a discussion of The Collected Clinical Works of Alfred Adler, Volume 6, Chapters XXIV & XXV. The following chapter summaries were prepared by Manu Jaaskelainen.

Ch. XXIV The Meaning of Life (1931) is a paper on a subject that was a pervasive one in Adler's thinking. Adler begins exploring the dividion of labor in society--this idea leads to the necessity of cooperation. Human beings find the meaning of their life in human society and in common experiences. Today we would like to say that the key to the meaning of life is in sharing common experiences and common values. This is "common sense" or social interest: "Those who have demonstrated belonging to the community understand common sense. ... Feeling valuable results from a successful contribution to others and is the only direction in which the average inferiority feelings of people experience a successful compensation. To be valuable means to have contributed. Thus, human happiness can be found only in applied social interest."

Ch. XXV Trick and Neurosis (1931) is another favorite theme of Adler. "Tricks" as Adler calls them, are a pervasive quality of all human life. All human achievements and inventions are products of some "tricks". Poetry, dreams, and magic are products of some "tricks" or "trickiness". However, in human neuroses tricks a highly problematic function. Jokes are in the main harmless, but neurotic tricks are not so harmless. They serve the function of keeping the person permanently alienated from social realities. The paper contains numerous examples of neurotic tricks. It is the task of Individual Psychology to show the individual his/her trick and convince him/her that he/she has employed this trick without knowing it. It can serve the means to avoid challenges and social facts. Often, the insecurity of the person is not real; in fact, he or she has no need for "tricks".

To order your copy of Volume 6, go to http://go.ourworld.nu/hstein/cwaa-v6.htm .

[Henry Stein]

On October 31st, we will begin a discussion of The Collected Clinical Works of Alfred Adler, Volume 6, Chapters XXVI. The following chapter summary was prepared by Manu Jaaskelainen.

Ch. XXVI The Structure of Neurosis (1931) is, in the opinion this reviewer, one of the best and most interesting papers Adler wrote. The chapter is well-organized, there is less rambling than in many other papers written by him, and its argument is logical, well-founded, and concise. The paper contains not only Adler's theory of neuroses, but also some important comments on his theory of general psychology as well. The paper was originally written for Lancet. The paper begins with a list of examples of the symptoms of neuroses. Adler presents a criticism of Watson's behaviorism and any psychology that includes the various manifestations of human personality. In order to organize this data, there is a need for theoretical insight "to understand the context of data which may lead beyond the province of experience." The essence of life is motion; every movement has a goal. The inferiority feeling includes a minus and a plus simultaneously - a feeling of inferiority and a striving to superiority. All individuals possess a typical, individual and different way of compensating for their feeling of inferiority. The basic problem in neurosis is the [relative] lack of social feeling, or social interest. To understand a neurotic person, we must recognize the individual as a unity. All neurotic symptoms are safeguards, the means to save face, while at the same time avoiding to meet the real challenges of life.

To order your copy of Volume 6, go to http://go.ourworld.nu/hstein/cwaa-v6.htm .