Who was the psychologist Alfred Adler (1870-1937)? Adler’s life is thoroughly chronicled in the book Inferiority and Transcendence, translated by Prof. Huang Guangguo in 1971. Born in Vienna as the third of seven children in a modest Jewish merchant family, Adler faced significant challenges early in life, including mobility issues and a stutter. He also experienced the traumatic loss of a brother and endured a serious illness, which inspired him to pursue a career in medicine from a young age. After graduating from the University of Vienna, Adler established his own medical practice. He married and had three daughters and a son.
Adler’s personal life deeply shaped his worldview. His wife and eldest daughter, who was arrested and imprisoned for her involvement in the social movement advocating for democracy, freedom, and equality in Russia, disappeared and were never heard from again. This personal tragedy profoundly influenced Adler’s strong beliefs in women’s rights and the social equality of children.
Adler first met Freud in 1902 and later became the president of the Vienna Psychoanalytic Society. Early in his career, he gained recognition for his papers on organ inferiority, the inferiority complex, and compensation. In 1911, after a significant disagreement with Freud, Adler parted ways with him and founded the Society for Individual Psychology. During this time, Adler was notably influenced by the 1911 book The Psychology of “As If” by the German philosopher Hans Vaihinger. This led him to focus on theories concerning the goals of human behavior, subjective perceptions, personal logic, neurosis, life styles, and the social influences that shape personality development.
Adler’s experience as a military doctor during the First World War gave him profound insight into the importance of social connection for mental health. Following the war (1918-1925), he centered his writings on the concept of social empathy and played an active role in establishing over thirty children’s counseling centers in Vienna and other parts of Germany. These centers applied individual psychology to educational institutions and provided counseling services for both parents and teachers. During this period, Adler’s reputation expanded. He later became a visiting professor at Columbia University and, in 1932, was appointed chairman of the department of medicine at Long Island Medical School in New York. In 1934, he settled in the United States. Remarkably, he began learning English at the age of 55 and learned to drive at 60. Adler passed away in Scotland in 1937 while on a lecture tour.
Most of Adler’s writings were compiled and translated by Ansbacher and Ansbacher. In the final decade of his work, Adler focused on how individuals could overcome feelings of inferiority and achieve transcendence through creative energy, transitioning from private logic to social interest. Recently, Henry Stein, a modern Adlerian scholar, has reorganized and updated the translation of Adler’s original works. More information on his efforts can be found at Henry Stein’s website
Many contemporary psychologists recognize Adler’s theories as having had a profound impact on 21st-century psychology, influencing fields such as existentialism, social constructionism, cognitive-behavioral therapy, family and marital therapy, reality therapy, short-term focal counseling, narrative therapy, group counseling, play therapy, and more recently, positive psychology.
As Viktor Frankl, a pioneer of meaning-centered therapy, once remarked: “Adler was the first person who dared to break away from Freudian theory. Human beings should no longer be seen as mere victims or hostages of their impulses, drives, and instincts. Instead, drives and instincts are the raw material from which people can express themselves and act in meaningful, dynamic ways.”
Albert Ellis, the founder of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), similarly stated: “Without the Adlerian school, the REBT school would not exist. Adler, far surpassing Freud, can rightfully be called the father of modern psychology.”
It is evident that Adlerian psychology has shown a “prophetic” understanding of the development of contemporary psychological thought. Adler’s concept of social interest has often been compared to the Confucian notion of “benevolence” and the Christian principle of “fraternity,” offering a compelling vision of an ideal world rooted in universal harmony.
The key concepts of Adlerian psychology contain the following important principles:
- social interest
- purpose
- private logic
- Choice and Consequences
- Guiding fiction
- Life style
- Goal-oriented movement
- Contribution
- Feeling of Inferiority/Superiority
- Encouragement and courage
- Holism
- Striving
- Democratic principles
TSAP’s Values
TSAP adheres to the 4C principles: Connection, Capability, Count, and Courage, with a focus on technology and global outreach. By utilizing video technology, TSAP bridges the gap between urban and rural areas, offering a variety of professional and public service activities with an international perspective. These activities aim to promote “physical and mental well-being for individuals and groups amidst social change’ across Taiwan to serve our general members, fellow members, and the general public. In 2021, TSAP officially became a member of the International Association of Adlerian Psychology (IAIP), further enhancing its international vision and opportunities for global exchange.
TSAP’s Vision
TSAP’s vision is to promote the growth and practical application of Adlerian psychology in Taiwan and the wider Chinese-speaking community. We aim to establish a communication platform that integrates information and cultural exchange while staying aligned with global trends. This platform will also expand opportunities for hands-on training and academic research.TSAP’s Chronicle
Year | Events |
2008
| Registered as an affiliate of NASAP (North American Society of Adlerian Psychology) (by W.C. Tseng, and T.K. Lien) |
Organized the International Seminar: The Implication of Adlerian Psychology in Chinese Society , November 24th – 26th (with Jon Carlson, Al Milliren, and Julia Yang) | |
Participated in the workshop held by National Kaohsiung Normal University’s Institute of Counseling and Psychosocial Rehabilitation (Al Milliren & Julia Yang) | |
2010 | Attended the “Adlerian School International Seminar: Past, Present and Future of Individual Psychology” at National Chi Nan University. |
2011 | Attended the IAIP World Conference in Vienna and witnessed the return of Adler’s ashes from Edinburgh to Vienna with a state funeral. |
2013 | Attended NASAP Annual Conference in San Diego |
2014 | Collaborated with Moxa Education Foundation to organize the “Spiritual Mentor: Parent/Teacher Consultant” training course. |
Provided advanced and beginner courses for the Teacher Chang Foundation across Taiwan. | |
2015 | Attended NASAP Annual Conference in Chicago |
Collaborated with the Taiwan Career Development and Counseling Association (TCDCA) to hold a seminar on “Child and Youth Counseling: Adler’s Influence in the 21st Century” at National Taiwan University (NTU). | |
Established the Adler Interest Group at LINE. | |
2016 | In February, the Taiwan Society of Adlerian Psychology (TSAP) was founded at National Kaohsiung Normal University (NKNU) along with the event titled “Workshop on Health Care for Individuals and Groups in the Face of Social Changes.” TSAP is based in NKNU’s Department of Education. To mark the occasion, Mr. Der-Lung Fong, TSAP’s supervisor, presented a poem to celebrate its establishment. |
Implemented video conferencing for TSAP’s internal management to lower administrative expenses. | |
Since its inception, TSAP has been organizing the “TSAP Adlerian Psychology Book Club and Book Club Leader Training and Certification Program”, “Parent/Teacher Consultant and Parenting Life Coach Training and Certification Program”, “Corner Café Workshop”, and a number of Adlerian thematic lectures, courses, seminars, and workshops in various parts of Taiwan. TSAP has also expanded the scope of its systematic training to include the “Adlerian Orientation Family and Marriage Workshop” and the “Adlerian Psychology Oriented Addiction Prevention and Counseling Certification Program”. Meanwhile, TSAP continues to work with organizations throughout Taiwan to host or co-organize courses, including the Teacher Chang Foundation, the Learning Counseling Center, the Shiuh-Li Foundation, the Moxa Education Foundation, the Taiwan Career Development and Counseling Association, and the Taiwan Career Development and Counseling Association. The Taiwan Union Congress of Psychotherapy, E.R. Counseling Center, and Our Design Ltd. in Kaohsiung. | |
2017 | Set up TSAP’s official website and Facebook fan page to build up TSAP’s brand image and introduce the ticketing system of the National Theater & Concert Hall. |
TSAP’s annual conference was held at the National Kaohsiung Normal University, with keynote speech “Health Care for Individuals and Groups in a Changing Society” and a free speech on “Happiness is Taken Away with Action, Peace Begins with Me”, as well as a Courageous Psychology Book Exhibition. TSAP’s reputation has been established through the exciting activities and packed audiences. TSAP is grateful to the international scholars, Al Milliren, Becky LaFountain, Paul asmussen, and Wes Wingett, who paid for their own airfare to come to Taiwan. In addition, TSAP organized Adlerian thematic professional workshops in conjunction with National Kaohsiung Normal University, Pingtung University, Tainan University, Chiayi University, Hsinchu University of Education, Jinan University, Tzu Chi University, National Taipei University of Education, University of Taipei, National Taiwan Normal University, National Taiwan University, and many other like-minded partners. Attended the IAIP World Conference with six presentations. | |
Kaohsiung Normal University, the “Mindfulness Education Lecture Forum Series: Dialogue between Positive Psychology 2.0, Chinese Native Psychology, and Adlerian Psychology,” inviting international scholar Dr. Paul Wong to join the conversation. | |
Invited for the first time by TAIWAN INSTITUTE OF PHYCOLOGY to participate in a thematic workshop on Adler organized by the Taiwan Career Development and Counseling Association . | |
To make learning more convenient and to address the knowledge gap between urban and rural areas, TSAP has started incorporating advanced information technology into its annual conferences, lectures, and courses. By establishing a real-time, distance learning system, TSAP aims to lower costs and increase the quality of education. | |
2018 | Updated the official website, and built the exclusive software for data management, online cash flow, student enrollment, and event publicity. The layout and image design of the website was further improved, and the course videos were uploaded to the official website to create an exclusive “digital classroom” for members. Through continuous reforms, TSAP improved its administrative efficiency and facilitated the growth of partners from all over the world, realizing the core spirit of Adlerian psychology, which is equality, respect, and aesthetics. |
Hosted the annual conference “The Courage to be Equal: Home and Work” at the National Taipei University of Education. | |
Co-organized the K-12 Education Administration’s “12-Year National Education Improvement Program: Support for Teachers in Remote Areas.” Assisted in the implementation of the “Five-Year Plan for the Educational Development of New Resident Children,” which included organizing the “Career Coach Training Program.” Additionally, led several career exploration activities and provided career counseling services for children of new immigrants. | |
2019 | Renewed the official website, developed the shopping cart system and linked it with the existing cash flow system to enhance the efficiency of administrative procurement and budget control. |
Held the annual conference “Individual, Family, and Society: Survival and Transformation in the Cracks” at the National Taichung University of Education. | |
Once again, invited by TAIWAN INSTITUTE OF PHYCOLOGY to participate in the Adler Theme Workshop organized by the Joint Annual Conference. | |
Added a second Adler interest group on LINE. | |
2020 | During the Covid-19 outbreak, the Taiwan Society of Adlerian Psychology (TSAP) held its annual conference titled Our Own/ Common Identities: The Social Feelings of Acceptance and Reconciliation in Social Interests at the National Taipei University of Education. The event also featured an international online video conference, with Dr. Marina Bluvshtein, Vice President of the International Association of Adlerian Psychology, as the keynote speaker. |
Launched for the first time a members-only public service lecture – “Post-Epidemic, Pre-Deployment” Adler Courageous Living Series. | |
| Collaborated with Tainan City’s Family Education Center (TCCFEC) to train the seed instructors for parent-teacher counseling at TCCFEC. | |
2021 | Held the annual conference “Spirituality: From Individual to Group” at Kaohsiung Municipal Kai-Syuan Psychiatric Hospital. |
| TSAP became one of the group members of the International Association of Adlerian Psychology (IAIP). | |
Organized a public service lecture: “Facing Life’s Imperfections: Online Support Group for Post-Disaster Traumatic Stress Awareness and Relief”. | |
Organized “Close to Adler Lecture Series” and “Online 4C Book Club in English and Chinese”. | |
Renewed the official website and upgraded the course registration system software to improve the convenience of students’ registration. | |
2022 | Held “Holistic Care in the Post-Epidemic Era – Connectivity, Competence, Count, Courage” in the form of an online annual conference. |
Organized the “Free Lecture with Gratitude”. Speaker: Dr. Marina Bluvshtein, President of IAIP “The Sense of Belonging in Adlerian Psychology: Origins, Theories and Applications”. | |
2023 | The annual conference entitled “Healing: The Practice of Holistic Care in Adlerian Psychology” was held at the National Taipei University of Education. |
For NASAP’s 71st Annual Conference, TSAP received a letter of invitation from the NASAP Board of Directors. | |
To enhance members’ benefits, the weekly Adler’s Whispers and Garden of Courage quarterly magazines were launched. | |
LINE Established the official TSAP LINE |