The case of Miss R : The interpretation of a life story / by Alfred Adler, translated by Eleanore and Friedrich Jensen, M.D.

  • Adler, Alfred, 1870-1937.
Date:
1929
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The case of Miss R : The interpretation of a life story / by Alfred Adler, translated by Eleanore and Friedrich Jensen, M.D. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    11/334 (page 9)
    with it; and not all those who will want to read this book will be sufficiently conversant with the system of Individual Psychology to be able to follow its con¬ tents with full understanding. With the intention of submitting this extraordinary life story to as ex¬ tensive a circle of readers as possible I give a con¬ cise survey of the theory and practice of individual psychology for those who have little or no acquaint¬ ance with the fundamentals of Adlerian teaching. The theoretical system of individual psychology was founded by the Viennese psychiatrist, Dr. Alfred Adler. Adler’s conception of the structure and func¬ tion of the mind in relation to the body, of the striv¬ ing of all psychic expressions and activities toward a goal, and of the mutual relation between the individ¬ ual psyche and the community is so illuminating and clarifying that it has brought his doctrines rapidly to the fore in modern psychology. Adler proceeds from the fact that bodily defects are not only to be considered as signs of physical de¬ terioration but also frequently give rise to attempts at compensation and overcompensation. As soon as there is a physical disturbance the body attempts to com¬ pensate for it. Since every bodily disturbance makes an impression on the mind a mental striving sets in concurrently with the compensatory efforts of the body, with the aim of overcoming or, at least, making up for this defect in some way or other. The body,