June 5th, we will begin a discussion of The Collected Clinical Works of Alfred Adler, Volume 8, Chapters XXII-XXIV. The following chapter summaries were prepared by Manu Jaaskelainen.
Ch. XXII
Lecture No. 18 is based on a case of a man 50 who has no friends. He had one very peculiar habit that made it for him difficult to have social contacts. Adler concludes his case illustration stating that in all cases where a person has distanced himself for years from social contacts, the therapist must help him find ways to re-enter society.
Ch. XXIII
Differences in Psychic Compensation (1931) is a paper based on a speech at a physician's conference. Compensation must take place in a manner that satisfies the child: that give a feeling of having overcome some demand of life in a useful or useless way. According to Adler, causal explanations are insufficient in providing useful models for explanation; for this reason, final models are needed. Individual Psychology uncovers the roots of the symptoms or exaggergations, thus achieving a new understanding of the choice of the symptoms.
Ch. XXIV
Discussion of Compulsion Neurosis (undated) is paper based on a record of his contribution in a conference--possibly Adler was presenting his views in a discussion. Adler says that every compulsion neurosis is an assault on life. It is a revolt against unalterable facts of life. Many compulsive people are ambitious, they have a good professional status, and some have been socially successful. However, these people suffer from inferiority feelings, and the idea of worthlessness. In therapy, Adler recommends telling the client that he is not worthless, and he/she can make a valuable contribution to society.
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