Social interest

The leading idea of the Individual Psychology of Alfred Adler is found in his recognition of the importance of human society, not only for the development of the individual character, but also for the orientation of every single action and emotion in the life of a human being. (Dreikurs, 1989, p. 1)

This orientation, that is, the individual’s urge to respond to the demands of adapting to and fitting in with the social group is what Adler termed social interest.

Ansbacher (1978, 1991) traced the development of Adler’s idea of social interest over four decades of Adler’s writings. During this time Adler gradually changed his conceptualization of social interest as a more or less physiological drive, in the nature of Freud’s psychology, to a cognitive function that is innate but only partially developed at birth (Ansbacher, 1991).

Oberst and Stewart (2003) made the point that social interest is not only the cause for engaging with others, but is also the result. The authors also stated that it is not the mere performance of good deeds which is social interest; rather, it is the feeling of belonging:

As the expression ‘community feeling’ suggests, it has to be something felt, not only done. The act is a consequence of the feeling. Doing a good deed without the ‘right’ attitude has the opposite finality: not to contribute to the community, but to care exclusively for one’s own self. (p. 18)

Make a Connection

1. What do you think social interest means in an online community?

2. Do you think is necessary to reexamine the concept of social interest as a result of the emergence of the online world? How?

References

Ansbacher, H. L. (1978). The development of Adler’s concept of social interest: A critical study. Journal of Individual Psychology (00221805), 34(2), 118-152. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

Ansbacher, H. L. (1991). The development of Adler's concept of social interest: A critical study. Individual Psychology: The Journal of Adlerian Theory, Research & Practice, 47(1), 64-65. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

Dreikurs, R. (1989). Fundamentals of Adlerian psychology. Chicago: Adler School of Professional Psychology.

Oberst, U. E., & Stewart, A. E. (2003). Adlerian psychotherapy: An advanced approach to individual psychology. New York: Routledge.

Copyright © 2011 Leonard Snyder