Five Fields of Striving for Significance
Developed by Henry T. Stein, Ph.D.
Based on the Original Concepts of Anthony Bruck
- One of the central ideas in Adlerian Psychology is the individual's striving from a feeling of inferiority toward a feeling of significance.
- The feeling of inferiority can be used as a stimulus for striving or as a felt blockade and an excuse for not striving.
- An individual who feels blocked from achievement in one field may cross over to another field and compensate or over-compensate for his feeling of inferiority.
| EXAMPLES OF INFERIORITY AND SIGNIFICANCE |
| FIELD |
INFERIORITY |
SIGNIFICANCE |
| Physical |
Organ Deficiencies, Physical Handicaps, Deformity, Ugliness, Weakness, Abnormal Height or Weight, Sickness, Severe Hunger or Thirst, Sexual Frustration |
Strength, Beauty, Athletic Ability, Good Health, Sensory Pleasure, Sexual Gratification, Physical Closeness |
| Intellectual |
Ignorance, Illiteracy, Feeling Stupid, Lack of Skill, Difficulty in Learning, Boredom |
Knowledge, Understanding, Skill, Artistic Ability, Academic Success, Enjoyment of Music, Art, Drama, and Literature |
| Psychological |
Negative Character Traits (Real or Imagined), Feeling or Acting Crazy, Disliked or Hated, Ashamed of Oneself, Feeling Bad or Guilty |
Positive Character traits, Proud of Oneself, Liked by Others, Admired by Others, Loved by Someone, Self-Actualizing |
| Social |
Being Alone, Isolated, Being Excluded, Not Invited, Abandoned, Socially Awkward |
Contact With Others, Membership in Organizations, Identifying With Group, Socially Adept, Social Acceptance & Approval |
| Economic |
Poverty, Financial Distress, Underpaid for Work, Loss of Job, Not Keeping Up With Norm, Losing Money |
Good Income, Paid Well for Work, Financial Security, Wealth, Getting a Raise in Salary, Winning the Lottery |
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