Adler, Alfred (1870–1937)

Life Dates

Alfred Adler was born in a suburb of Vienna on February 7, 1870, the second son and second child of seven siblings. His father was a middle-class Jewish grain merchant and his mother was a housewife. They had the choice of living in a mostly Jewish section of the city but chose to reside during most of Adler’s youth in neighborhoods that were primarily non-Jewish. Thus as Adler grew up he was largely spared the brunt of anti-Semitic activity that pervaded that period. His family did not stand out by religion or social status and Adler made that a positive aspect of his theory and life. Belonging, being a part of others, and equal to others, were posited by Adler as critical elements of a healthy outlook and lifestyle, and of social interest which he described as belonging in thought, feeling, and behavior. His sociability and openness in his personal and professional life were reflected in his emphasis on respect and community in his theory.

As a young child, Adler had...