The Psychology of Personal Growth and Better Relationships

2The Main Components of Adlerian Psychology

Now I'd like to present a rough explanation of the five components of Adlerian psychology that were mentioned before.

Self‐Determination: Psychology That Makes You the Protagonist

The first component of Adlerian psychology is self‐determination, which was discussed on page 23: People are not just the victims of their environment or upbringing; everyone has the power to shape their destiny. The opposite of this would be to assume that problems in your environment and early childhood exert a controlling influence over your whole life—that events in your life have caused you to become a victim.

Adlerian psychology recognizes that environmental circumstances and one's upbringing have an effect on personality development, but how you interpret their effects and the attitude that you choose to have are up to you. So‐called personality formation is influenced by genes and other physical factors as well as childhood environment, but the final deciding factor is the individual themself.

Adler said that you are the one who made you and you are also the one who can change you. He also said that people are the protagonists in their own destiny—people are the authors, screenwriters, directors, and stars of their own personal life dramas. No one can substitute for you.

Well then, when you self‐determine, which direction are you going to point yourself ...