These are: The self-concept the convictions I have about who I am; the self-ideal the convictions of what I should be or am obliged to be to have a place; the weltbild, or picture of the world convictions about the not self and what the world demands of me; and the ethical convictions- personal right-wrong code (Mosak 1995). When there is conflict between the self-concept and the ideal, inferiority feelings develop. It is important to note that Adlerians do not believe that these feelings of inferiority are abnormal. In fact, this theory proposes that, to live is to feel inferior (Mosak 1995). However, when the individual begins to act inferior rather than feel inferior, the individual is engaging in discouragement or the inferiority complex (Mosak 1995). To oversimplify, the inferiority feeling is universal and normal; the inferiority complex reflects the discouragement of a limited segment of our society and is usually abnormal (Mosak 1995). This theory views the healthy and ideal individual as one who engages in life experiences with confidence and optimism. There is a sense of belonging and contributing, the courage to be imperfect, and the serene knowledge that one can be acceptable to others, although imperfect (Mosak 1995). This theory uses subjectivity for understanding the person. In order to understand the individual, we must understand his or her cognitions. Harold Mosak (1995) identifies five underlying assumptions to the Adlerian theory. He states, a) the individual is unique, b) the individual is self-consistent, c) the individual is responsible, d) the person is creative, an actor, a chooser, and e) people in a soft-deterministic way can direct their own behavior and control their destinies (Mosak, 1995, p.87). According to Adlerian theory, people strive to attain goals that provide them with a place in this world, in turn giving them security and enhancing self- esteem. If strivings are solely for the ind...
