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.
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