What are the Basic Beliefs of Adlerian Psychology? Deciphering the 'Melody' That Flows Through Life
There is a melody that plays repeatedly in life—What are the 'Basic Beliefs' of Adlerian Psychology?
Why do I always worry about the same things?
Even when relationships change, similar problems arise.
Even when the environment changes, I eventually return to the same patterns.
Have you ever had such an experience?
If so, it might not be a coincidence.
Adlerian psychology suggests that there are 'Basic Beliefs' in the background.
Life has a consistent theme
First, I would like you to look at this quote.
3. Basic Beliefs
Lifestyle can be compared to a musical theme. It is a melody that repeatedly appears in our lives.
(R. Dreikurs) (omitted)
Definition of Basic Beliefs
Basic beliefs are a set of self-concepts, worldviews, and self-ideals that determine the fundamental tendency of the entire movement of life.
Basic beliefs are the skeleton of a lifestyle
This statement illustrates the essence of understanding lifestyle in Adlerian psychology.
Life may seem to proceed in a haphazard way.
However, in reality, a person's unique 'melody' is playing repeatedly.
What kind of person do you think you are?
One of the basic beliefs isself-concept.
Simply put,
'What kind of person am I?'
is the belief that.
I am a weak person.
I am a worthless person.
I am a hard worker.
I am a person who is loved.
Even if you are not conscious of them, these beliefs influence your life.
This is because even when the same event occurs, the way you perceive it changes.
How you view the world
Another is the worldview.
The world is a dangerous place.
People cannot be trusted.
The world is a warm place.
Effort is rewarded.
These ways of thinking also shape a person's life.
Depending on what kind of world you feel you are living in, the actions you choose will change significantly.
What kind of person you are trying to become
Furthermore, the self-ideal is also important.
I must be perfect.
I must be liked by everyone.
I want to be a person who is useful to others.
Such ideals act as goals for life.
However, if those ideals are too high, they can also cause you suffering.
Adlerian psychology examines how those ideals influence your life.
The melody of life can be changed
The interesting thing about Adlerian psychology is that it does not consider basic beliefs to be destiny.
Certainly, there is a melody that has been played repeatedly throughout your life so far.
However, it is not something that can never be changed.
If you have
“I have no value”
a melody that you have repeatedly listened to,
realizing that is the first step.
Adlerian psychology does not view life through determinism.
It believes that humans have the power to choose.
That is precisely why you can also play a new melody.
What kind of melody is playing in your life?
When you look back on your life, you can see recurring themes there.
Similar worries.
Similar failures.
Similar wishes.
These are not coincidences, but may be the melody of life created by your basic beliefs.
Adlerian psychology encourages us to listen to that melody.
And it encourages us to have the courage to choose a new melody if necessary.
Life is like a piece of music. However, how you play the rest of it depends on your choices in this very moment.
⇧ You can purchase the Adlerian psychology textbook here. (This is not an affiliate link.) It is a foundational text referenced by many learners and courses.