Alfred Adler and the Myth of Individualism

Despite the name, individual psychology does not focus on the isolated self. Instead, it argues that human behavior only makes sense when we look at a person’s connections to others and their role in society.

Alfred Adler coined the term to highlight the indivisible nature of the human personality. He believed that we are social creatures driven by a desire for belonging and contribution to the community. By studying our interactions rather than our internal thoughts, he shifted how we understand motivation. His work paved the way for modern social psychology and humanistic therapy.