On July 11th, we will begin a discussion of The Collected Clinical Works of Alfred Adler, Volume 5, Chapters XXXII-XXXIV. The following chapter summaries were prepared by Manu Jaaskelainen
Ch XXXII
Sadism, Masochism, and Other Perversions (1926) is paper on sexual disturbances. Adler studies these sexual deviations in the context of the life-style of the person. "Distancing oneself from the forefront of life" is the lifestyle of the people who have chosen sado-masochism as a method of sexual gratification. The background is again social and cultural. Feelings of inferiority and mistaken compensations play their role in the formation of these disturbances. - There is again an interesting list of literature. There is e.g. a major work by Krafft-Ebing, Psychopathia sexualis.
Ch XXXIII
Sexual Neurasthenia (1926) means neurotic disturbances in connection of sexual functions. The chapter begins with a listing of sexual disturbances. Adler concludes that the feeling of inferiority is the basis for impotence. Impotence is connected with a general outlook of the world that is hesitating and avoids challenges. "Such a lifestyle...is maintained by those who start out trying to do much, but who get little done, whose relationships with others are minimal and are achieved only with difficulty, and whose love relationships never come to full fruition." Sexual disturbances may be symptom of general weakness and lack of courage, or even aggression. Adler emphasizes here again social relationships, and the need of client to change his/her philosophy of life.
Ch XXXIV
Problem Children (1926) is a study on the problems of education. In the beginning of this paper Adler defines the problem: "We tried kindness, but it was useless. We tried to be strict, but that was useless. What should we do?" Adler is against the use punishment: if the child is lying, punishment will make him still more guarded and hiding, "and at some point will feign compliance by tricks and other futile measures." Instead, communication and discussion should be the method to build contact and confidence. This may be time-consuming, but there are hardly any viable alternatives. "Only those succeed who stop and think how to gain the child's respect."
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