Deck 4: Alfred Adler and Individual Psychology

Question 1

Which statement most accurately reflects Adler's view of human nature?

A)Goal-directed behavior mitigates the influence of biological factors.
B)Sexual drive and libido provide the motivation for most human behavior.
C)Individuals are basically egocentric and must be taught to have social interest.
D)Early childhood experiences determine our destiny.

Answer 1

Goal-directed behavior mitigates the influence of biological factors.

Question 2

"Family constellation" refers to

A)who is in the family.
B)the roles that each person plays in the family.
C)the nature of the interactions and transactions in the family.
D)all of the above.

Answer 2

all of the above.

Question 3

According to Adler, we are most influenced by siblings who

A)are older than we are.
B)are protective of us.
C)allow us to assume a parental role.
D)are most different from the way we are.

Answer 3

are most different from the way we are.

Question 4

Maryam is dependable, responsible, and achievement-oriented. She has always been extremely well behaved. Maryam is typical of a/an ______________ child.

A)oldest
B)second
C)middle
D)youngest

Question 5

Zak is extremely talented in mathematics and represents his school at many math competitions. He has never been very good at or interested in art. His brother Thomas, however, enjoys art and has created cover designs for school programs. He has gone to great lengths to avoid math-related activities. Thomas is most likely

A)a second child.
B)a middle child.
C)the youngest child.
D)a pampered child.

Question 6

Dora was having difficulty deciding whether or not to change jobs. She said that she also had a hard time deciding where to live, what furniture to buy, and whether to buy a new car. Her Adlerian counselor was not surprised to learn that Dora was a/an ___________ child.

A)oldest child
B)middle
C)youngest
D)second

Question 7

Feeling that the other children get more love and attention, having difficulty finding a way to be special, and being discouraged easily all are typical pitfalls of being a/an ______________ child.

A)oldest
B)middle
C)youngest
D)second

Question 8

According to Adler, the major influence on the development of lifestyle is

A)the composition and interaction of a person's family.
B)biology.
C)birth order.
D)the degree to which unconscious material can be made conscious.

Question 9

Individual psychology focuses away from disease and pathology and instead

A)views problems as resulting from negative thinking.
B)focuses on childhood behavior as the cause of problems.
C)provides a social focus that recognizes the client's needs for power and belonging are not being met.
D)allows the person to find his or her own solutions.

Question 10

Which of the following does not play a major role in Adlerian psychology?

A)libido
B)feelings of inferiority
C)lifestyle
D)goal directedness

Question 11

"Private logic" refers to

A)internal self-talk that convinces us that we are being rational.
B)Adler's rationale for departing from Freudian thought.
C)the route from feelings of inferiority to the development of a self-ideal lifestyle.
D)the cognitive development of children during the first five years of life which eventually determines their fictional goals.

Question 12

Freud identified two important life tasks; work and love. The third task which Adler added is

A)leisure.
B)parenting.
C)friendship.
D)generativity.

Question 13

Adler's theory is described as "phenomenological" meaning that

A)it is concerned with external phenomena.
B)it is concerned with a person's inner reality.
C)it emphasizes reliving traumatic events.
D)it is goal-directed.

Question 14

According to Adler, feelings of pain and inadequacy are caused primarily by

A)faulty logic.
B)disappointing relationships.
C)neurological imbalances.
D)failure at life tasks.

Question 15

Adler's model for the client-clinician relationship can be described as

A)similar to Freud's.
B)paternalistic.
C)collaborative.
D)based on a medical model.

Question 16

A client states: "I am so excited because I finally passed the bar exam!" According to the Adlerian model, which would be the most encouraging response?

A)You sound very happy.
B)You must feel great satisfaction knowing that all of your studying paid off.
C)Where will this lead you?
D)Now you can start making some money.

Question 17

A client arrived at a counseling session irate because a parking attendant had made him move his car. The client stated, "Even though the sign said NO PARKING, there was no reason why the attendant couldn't let me park there." The clinician helped the client to see that, although he criticized others for ignoring rules and laws, he believed that he was special and did not have to abide by the rules and laws that pertained to others. The technique which the clinician employed is called

A)confrontation.
B)immediacy.
C)pushing the button.
D)spitting in the client's soup.

Question 18

When using the technique of confrontation, the clinician points out

A)when a client is irresponsible.
B)when a client is irrational.
C)how clients are causing their own problems.
D)discrepancies in client statements.

Question 19

Avery, a clinician, asked his 14-year-old client to imagine how proud and happy he would be when he passed algebra and how frustrated and embarrassed he would be if he failed and had to repeat the subject in summer school. This technique

A)is not an effective therapeutic practice.
B)is known as "catching oneself."
C)is not suitable for a client of this age.
D)is known as "pushing the button."

Question 20

Discuss the Adlerian perspective on the significance and impact of feelings of inferiority.

Question 21

Describe how Adler would characterize the healthy, well-functioning adult.

Question 22

Describe the roles of an Adlerian therapist.

Question 23

List at least five ways in which an Adlerian therapist might provide encouragement to clients.

Question 24

Provide a more encouraging alternative for each of the following interventions:
●Did you make any goals in the soccer game?
●You are a great actor!
●Sounds like you are hoping that you're good enough to win the tennis tournament.
●You passed! Now your parents won't ground you.
●Once again, you find yourself in a relationship with many problems.

Question 25

Identify the four stages of treatment in the Adlerian approach and the primary goals for each stage.

Question 26

Explain the purpose and procedure for each of the following interventions. Provide an example of each
●Immediacy
●catching oneself
●pushing the button
●spitting in the client's soup

Question 27

Peter and Shiraz sought counseling because of constant arguing over financial matters. Peter believes that Shiraz is too stingy and won't allow them to enjoy their money. Shiraz believes that Peter has no sense of household expenses and doesn't appreciate her efforts to maintain a budget.
Design three task assignments that you believe would be helpful to Peter and Shiraz. As an Adlerian therapist, how would you approach the process of suggesting a task assignment?

Question 28

Discuss the contributions, strengths, and limitations of Adler's treatment approach.

Question 29

Describe the four-step process for eliciting, analyzing, and interpreting early memories.