The Style of Life Tree

7/21/2019 The Style of Life Tree

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Copyright 1997, Henry T. Stein, Ph.D.Reproduction Prohibited Without Permission

Re-designed by nnie !"#onde, $"y, %&&'

Re(ised 1&-1)-&*

THE STYLE OF LIFE TREEis a

highly simplified graphic illustration of


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Alfred Adler's model of personality

development. It is based on a chart that

was originally conceived by AnthonyBruck and later modified by Henry

Stein. The three main areas of the treeare

o The FIVE ROOTSrepresent the

formative period of earlychildhood influences in which

the prototype of the style of life

was adopted. Some negative

influences have highprobabilities for provoking

discouragement! but none can

actually c"usea child to choose anegative direction in life. He

freely uses his cre"ti(e

po+er,adapting influences andcircumstances! to his own idea

about the best way to live.

Health and

Appearanceinclude theinfluences of organ

inferiority! disease!

deformity! as well asunusual beauty or

handsomeness. "ach

factor may act as anincentive for active

compensation or as a

burden leading to passivediscouragement.

Social and Economic

Position of the

Familywould take intoconsideration the impactof poverty! wealth! and

any other cultural or

religious factors thatmight promote feelings of

inferiority or superiority.


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Parental

Attitudescovers the

effects of a widespectrum of parent#child

relationships includingdemocratic! dominating!submissive! pampering!

overprotective coersive!

perfectionistic! neglectful!re$ecting! seductive! and

punitive.

Family

onstellatione%plores

the influence of birth

order position! includingonly! oldest! second!

middle! youngest! onlyboy among girls! only girl

among boys! adopted! and

a child whose sibling hasdied. The number of

years between siblings! as

well as the se&uence ofmales and females are

often significant factors.

"ach birth order positionhas uni&ue advantages aswell as disadvantages.

!ender Rolemay be a

positive or negativeinfluence! depending on

the value suggested by

the family and theculture. The feelings of

e&uality! inferiority! or

superiority may beevident in the role modelsthat children are e%posed

to daily.

o The STYLE OF LIFEis the

core repetitive pattern of

thinking! feeling! and acting that


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characterie the individual's

uni&ue attitude toward the tasks

of life. To gain a practicalunderstanding of each client! five

subordinate attitudes may beidentified.

The Attitude To"ard

Selfmay be characteried

by self#development! self#

indulgence! or self#destructiveness.

The Attitude To"ard

#ifficultiescould range

from a self#pamperingpreference for avoiding

all unpleasant difficulties!

to a vigorous appettite forembracing and struggling

with difficulties.

The Attitude To"ard

Othersmay involvecooperation! re$ection!

e%ploitation! domination!

or destruction.

The Attitude To"ard the

Other Se$could be

e%pressed with respect!

acceptance! and affection!or contempt! re$ection!

and abuse.

The Attitude To"ard

Lifemight range from

optimistic and generouscontribution! to

pesssimistic self#enrichment or self#

protection.


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o The THREE TAS%S OF

LIFEare the usual challenges

each adult is faced with in our

culture. In Adlerian diagnosis!

the individual's answer to eachchallenge is an important inde%

of their mental health. Although

Adler emphasied the three mainlife tasks! other Adlerians have

suggested the tasks of self#

development! family! religion!art! nature! and death.

Other Peoplemay be

seen as potentially

friendly and approachedwith warmth and

enthusiasm( foolish and

easy to e%ploit( or theymay be viewed as hostile

or indifferent! and

avoided as much asposiible.

An Occupationmight be

envisioned as an

opportunity for enrichingthe lives of others##or

only oneself. )ork can be

e%perienced as a creativefulfilment or a dreaded

burden. Business may be

conducted with ruthless

competition! or abenevolent consideration

for the well being of

employees and

customers.

Lo&e and Se$offers

partners an opportunityfor intimate mutual

enrichment or selfish

e%poitation. Immature

infatuation! without


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commitment or mature!

responsible love.

o *or more comprehensive

information about the style oflife! read +lassical AdlerianTheory and ,ractice.

n "n "ttempt to cre"te " c#e"r, simp#e

gr"phic, much det"i# must be ec#uded.

This is " +or/ in progress, "nd "ny0eedb"c/ or suggestions 0or re0inement

+ou#d be "ppreci"ted. P#e"se e-m"i#

your comments to Henry T. Stein,Ph.D., HTStein2"tt.net 3.

Reference: http://www.adlerian.us/tree.htm
http://www.adlerian.us/theoprac.htmhttp://www.adlerian.us/theoprac.htmhttp://www.adlerian.us/theoprac.htmhttp://www.adlerian.us/theoprac.htm

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The Style of Life Tree