Maria Khalid

DC200200169

PSY632 Assignment no. 2

1. What are the birth order and its impact on your personality according to Adler’s
theory?

I am the youngest child of my family. I have one elder brother and one elder sister.
According to Alfred Adler’s theory, the youngest child of the family has opportunities and
difficulties that are different from the older siblings. These children are describes as highly
social, confident, creative,, good at problem solving and adept at getting others to do things
for them. I can relate to this description because I also have a personality like this. I am social
and good at problem solving. I am also an adept at getting others or specially my siblings to
do things for me. But as this theory also states that youngest child are also spoiled, willing to
take unnecessary risks, and less intelligent that their oldest siblings. I agree with that.

2. Analyze your family environment from the Adler’s point of view.

My Family environment is democratic. In my family, I have rights to express my opinions or

agreements or disagreements to any decision. My Parents guide me in every situation and I
can also tell about the mistakes I have made. They listen to me fully and try to understand
me. They are cooperative and encourage me with my decisions of life. Equal rights are
given by my Parents among the three siblings. That is why I feel safe when I am facing the
world because I know that I have my Parents’ back and my family environment affects my
social skills in positive manners.

3. Describe your tendency of striving for superiority.

In Adler’s theory of striving for superiority, there are two kinds of people. First ones are
those who strive for superiority with little or no concern for others at all. Their goals are
personal ones. The others are those who are motivated by the social interest and the success
of all mankind. These people are psychologically healthy than those who strive for personal
gain. I personally think about myself that like everyone, I also want to become successful in
life. I want to do things perfectly and in a way which doesn’t affect others.

4. Write your social interests and life-style.

Social interest is the hallmark of the Adler’s theory. He stated that a social interest is a
feeling of community, an orientation to live cooperatively with others, and a lifestyle that
values the common good above one’s own interests and desires. Social interest protects
individuals against feelings of inferiority. If a child and adolescent have inadequate
development of social interest it leads to psychological difficulties in adulthood. If I am to
analyze my own personality, I think I have social interests.