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Home > Fundamental Concepts > Psychotherapy/Counseling Interventions/Techniques > Early Recollections

Early Recollections

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Note: Page numbers enclosed in parentheses are citations from The Individual Psychology of Alfred Adler: A systematic presentation in selections from his writings. (H. L. and R. R. Ansbacher, Eds.). © 1964, Harper & Row, Publishers, Inc. Used by permission of Perseus Books Group.

Early recollections are stories of single, specific incidents in childhood which the individual is able to reconstitute in present experience as mental images or as focused sensory memories. They are understood dynamically; that is, the act of recollecting and remembering is a present activity, the historical validity of which is irrelevant to present purpose. They are considered to be projective (Mosak, 1977), therefore, Individual Psychology understands early recollections as mirroring presently-held convictions, evaluations, attitudes, and biases. Individuals usually retain only a few early recollections that come to mind in response to chance stimuli or upon inquiry, in either case without explicit awareness of meaning or purpose. They may be thought of by analogy to the myths of the peoples that validate and sanctify the practices and values of a cultural form (Powers, 1973). As personal myths they are similarly held in memory and periodically rehearsed for purposes of individual identity and orientation. Early recollections are examined for their implications as they come to be reported in the course of therapy, either at the initiative of client or counselor. For example, in response to the client's report of a troublesome feeling, the counselor may ask, "Can you remember the first time in your life you felt this way?" In the recollection that comes in response they may recover the context of the original shock reaction, reappearing in the current feeling as a caution or expectation directed toward an apparent similarity in the client's current situation and challenges. Further, the systematic gathering and interpretation of a set of early recollections is a component of lifestyle assessment. [See Errors/Basic Mistakes/Interfering Ideas.] 

             Among all psychological expressions, some of the most revealing are the           individual's memories. His memories are the reminders he carries about with him of his own limits and of the meaning of circumstances (p. 351). 

             There are no "chance memories": out of the incalculable number of impressions which meet an individual, he chooses to remember only those which he feels, however darkly, to have a bearing on his situation (p. 351). 

             The first memory will show . . . [the individual's] fundamental view of life, his first satisfactory crystallization of his attitude (p. 351).

If we have found the real law of movement in an individual's recollections, we will find the same law confirmed in all his other forms of expression (p. 354). 

             Memory, like attention, is selective, in keeping with the economy of the mind and the purposes of the individual. Actively to remember everything, even if it were possible, would so clutter and fill attention that it is difficult to imagine how we could endure it. The theoretical problem, therefore, is to account not for the fact that we forget so much (which is the burden of theories of repression), but rather for the fact that we remember what we do (Powers & Griffith, 1987, p. 185). 

Individual Psychology is a theory of expression. It assumes that we retain these particular memories in order to maintain an orientation through time, to reherse our understanding of the fundamental issues of life, and to provide ourselves with reminders of the reliability of our convictions (Powers & Griffith, 1987, p. 185).

© Griffith, J., & Powers, R. L. (2007).  The Lexicon of Adlerian Psychology:  106 terms Associated with the Individual Psychology of Alfred Adler (2nd ed.). Port Townsend, WA: Adlerian Psychology Associates (p. 26).

Definitions of concepts are used by permission of Jane Griffith. A comprehensive list of concepts and definitions can be found in The Lexicon of Adlerian Psychology: 106 Terms Associated with the Individual Psychology of Alfred Adler by Jane Griffith and Robert L. Powers, available for purchase on Amazon.com. 

References 

Clark, A. J. (2002). Early recollections:  Theory and practice in counseling and psychotherapy. New York: Brunner-Routledge.

Maniacci, M., Shulman, B., Griffith, J., Powers, R. L., Sutherland, J., Dushman, R., & Schneider,  M. F. (1998). Early recollections: Mining the personal story in the process of change.  Journal of Individual Psychology, 54(4), 450-479.

Powers, R. L. (1973). Myth and memory. In H. H. Mosak (Ed.), Alfred Adler: His influence on psychology today (pp. 271-290). Park Ridge, NJ: Noyes.

Powers, R. L., & Griffith, J. (1987). Understanding life-style: The psycho-clarity process. Port Townsend, WA: Adlerian Psychology Associates.

Mozak, H. H. (1977). On purpose: Collected papers. Chicago: Adler School of Professional Psychology.


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Resources

The Allan Cox Interview Part 12: Adler's Early Memories
Randy Lewis, Senior Vice President of Walgreens (1992-2013), interviews Allan Cox about his personal and professional application of Adler's Early Memories.


Added By: Admin
Areas of Focus: Early Recollections, Leadership/Organizational, Allan Cox
Resource Type: Video
Direct Link to this Resource

Adlerian Consultation Hour with Drs. Jon Carlson and Jay Colker (03-01-2016)
During this consultation hour, the case of a 20-year old male client seeking therapy for symptoms of anxiety and depression is presented. The client’s relationships with his family, early recollections, and purpose of symptoms are discussed. (see Adlerian Consultation Hour with Drs. Jon Carlson and Jay Colker- 03-08-2016 for follow-up) Video Length: 55:33 Key Words: purpose of symptoms, birth order, lifestyle, grief and loss

During this consultation hour, the case of a 20-year old male who has recently returned to counseling is presented. The client reported symptoms of depression and anxiety following his mother and step-father's recent move to Florida. His younger sister also recently moved out of the house in order to attend college. The client chose not to move because he feels obligated to continue working for his grandfather’s local business. Regarding relevant client history, the client's biological father committed suicide when he was 9-years-old, and his mother remarried three years later when the client was 12.

The client’s relationships with his family and early recollections are discussed. Dr. Colker discusses the purpose of symptoms and reports that client has not appropriately coped with the death of his father. He further suggests that there is a functional purpose of the client holding on to grief after so many years. The therapist is encouraged to consider the client's new experience of being alone and having fewer supports.


Added By: Admin
Areas of Focus: Psychological Birth-Order Position/Birth-Order Vantage, Early Recollections, Life-Style, Lifestyle, Style of Living, Style of Life, Case Conceptualizatons, Individual Therapy, Adlerian Counseling/Psychotherapy, Jon Carlson , Jay Colker
Resource Type: Video
Direct Link to this Resource

Using family-of-origin recollections in Pre-marital and Marriage Counseling
Link to article by Richard Watts Jan 1997

Using family-of-origin recollections in Pre-marital and Marriage Counseling


Added By: Admin
Areas of Focus: Couples Therapy, Early Recollections, Richard Watts
Resource Type: Article
Direct Link to this Resource

AskAlfred Q&A: Encouragement in Couples Therapy (February 2016)
A question is posed about how to encourage discouraged couples in therapy

Dear Drs. Adler and Dreikurs,

I'm currently working with couples in therapy. While the details of their presenting problems vary, all of the couples have expressed a sense of discouragement and disconnection. Do you have any suggestions for how to encourage couples to reconnect on an intimate and emotional level?

Answer:

Researchers indicate that couples need a ratio of four positive interactions to one negative in terms of communications. Some couples approach this with the "Golden Rule" that is practiced by most religions. This rule states that it is important to love or treat people the way we want to be treated.  However, this doesn’t necessarily lead to meaningful positive interactions within the couple dyad.

Adlerian therapists have been well-trained in the power of encouragement with couples and they understand why the "Golden Rule” doesn’t work. Adlerians practice the “Platinum Rule” which can be very different; it is to treat your partner the way they way want to be treated not the way you want to be treated. Too many partners waste energy giving their partners what they want and wonder why it doesn’t produce positive results. You may love surprises but your partner is put off by them, or they might like to be waited on and served and yet you value self-sufficiency and taking care of yourself etc. In therapy you can help the couple see that many partners are disconnected and discouraged not because their partner doesn’t love them or care for them, but rather their partner is doing it in the wrong way.

Jane Griffith's Addition:

To encourage couples, remind the couple what brought them together in the first place by asking each member of the couple for the ER of their first meeting. Ask how this person stood out, was different from others they'd met. Ask the other member to listen to the recitation without interrupting. (Don't be surprised if they recount different incidents.)

Purpose: The first ER reveals the basic (unspoken) agreement or “contract” between them: for example, she's to be fun, light, entertaining; he's to be serious, solid, someone to be counted on. Eliciting the first ER of the relationship reminds them why they got together in the first place and the expectations each set for the other at that time. Then comes a disruption (presence of a child? lust affair? job loss? etc., etc.), the original “contract”/expectations break down, and the couple is adrift. 

If the couple is in earnest about staying together, the reminder of the first ER is encouraging in itself -- usually bringing relief and laughter into the session. More important, the couple can see clearly that the old (hidden) “contract”/expectations are no longer relevant, and that they have to create/formulate a new "contract" more suitable to their present situation in life.

-Jane Griffith

 


Added By: Admin
Areas of Focus: Jane Griffith, Ask Alfred, Early Recollections, Couples Therapy, Courage/Encouragement/Discouragement
Resource Type: Correspondence
Direct Link to this Resource

Idea Exchange Column edited by Roland Preston Rice, Individual Psychologist v.4 #1 (1966)
Summary of the integration of Kuder Personal, Early Recollections, and Life Philosophy


Added By: AWisniewski
Areas of Focus: Adlerian Assessment Measures, Life-Style Assessment/Life-Style Diagnosis, Early Recollections
Resource Type: Article
Idea Exchange Column edited by Roland Preston Rice
Direct Link to this Resource

First Memories of Drug Addicts by Donald N. Lombardi and William P. Angers, Individual Psychologist v.5 #1 (1967)
A study examining the early recollections of drug addicts


Added By: AWisniewski
Areas of Focus: Early Recollections
Resource Type: Article
First Memories of Drug Addicts by Donald N. Lombardi and William P. Angers
Direct Link to this Resource

Manaster-Perryman Early Recollection Manifest Content Scoring Manual
A description of the MPERSM

Attached is a description of a manual used to look at early recollections elicited in an empirical fashion. The manual utilizes content themes in 7 categories to look at early recollections of an individual.


Added By: Francis Sesso-Osburn
Areas of Focus: Early Recollections, Adlerian Assessment Measures
Resource Type: Document (Word/PDF)
MPERSM
Direct Link to this Resource

Early Recollections Rating Scale

Obtained is a description of the Early Recollections Rating Scale (ERRS) adapted from the Altman Early Recollection Questionnaire.


Added By: Francis Sesso-Osburn
Areas of Focus: Early Recollections, Adlerian Assessment Measures
Resource Type: Document (Word/PDF)
Early Recollections Rating Scale (ERRS)
Direct Link to this Resource

Adlerian Consultation Hour with Drs. Jon Carlson and Jay Colker (11-17-2016)
During this consultation hour, Dr. Jay Colker discusses the application of Adlerian philosophy to sports and health psychology. Focus is placed on the role of encouragement, belonging, social engagement, and horizontal striving in promoting health and well being.

During this consultation hour, Dr. Jay Colker discusses the application of Adlerian philosophy to sports and health psychology. Focus is placed on the role of encouragement, belonging, social engagement, and horizontal striving in promoting health and well being. A student then asks about how an athlete can come back from an injury. In particular, how an athlete can transition into a new role if sports are no longer an option following the injury. Dr. Colker then demonstrates how to work with an athlete from an Adlerian perspective. The student volunteer provides early recollections that Dr. Colker uses to interpret and help the stuent gain insight into his lifestyle.


Added By: Admin
Areas of Focus: Early Recollections, Courage/Encouragement/Discouragement, Jay Colker
Resource Type: Video
Direct Link to this Resource

Early Recollections Webinar with Jane Griffith
Jane Griffith, with facilitation from Dr. Jay Colker, explains and illustrates the concept of early recollections, how to draw them out in therapy, and their use in practice. Length (1:02:29).

Jane Griffith, with facilitation from Dr. Jay Colker, explains and illustrates the concept of early recollections, how to draw them out in therapy, and their use in practice. Griffith and Colker discuss what the role of early recollections are in Adlerian Theory and practice. The approach, individual style or caveats, are explored with examples of true early recollections and some common themes to look for in early recollections. Griffith outlines the body of research to support the validity of early recollections, and the stable nature of the lifestyle. Length (1:02:29).


Added By: VinceMessina
Areas of Focus: Jane Griffith, Early Recollections, Couples Therapy, Life-Style, Lifestyle, Style of Living, Style of Life, Individual Therapy, Jay Colker
Resource Type: Video
Direct Link to this Resource

Adlerian Consultation With Dr. Jay Colker (02-09-2017)
During this consultation hour, Dr. Colker facilitates a discussion with a student about some personal considerations looking forward to clinical work. Family constellations, early recollections, and Adlerian counseling are explored.

During this consultation hour, Dr. Colker facilitates a discussion with a student about some personal considerations looking forward to clinical work. The student expresses reservations about affirmation and assuming responsibility. Dr. Colker makes use of Adlerian Therapeutic techniques including Family constellations, early recollections, and Adlerian counseling are explored. Video length: (46 min, 49 sec).


Added By: VinceMessina
Areas of Focus: Family Constellation, Early Recollections, Adlerian Counseling/Psychotherapy, Jay Colker
Resource Type: Video
Direct Link to this Resource

Early Recollections and Adlerian Psychology
Dr. Arthur Clark discusses how to collect and interpret the memories and how to use the information in clinical work and in supervision (12/2/2015)

Adler proposed that early recollections are the most effective and efficient approach to understanding an individual’s “Style of Life”. He offered that people remember from early childhood those thoughts that affirm and reinforce their current views of themselves and their decision about how to move to achieve their perceived place of significance. In this webinar, Dr. Clark discusses how to collect and interpret the memories and how to use the information in clinical work and in supervision.


Added By: Admin
Areas of Focus: Arthur J. Clark, Early Recollections
Resource Type: Powerpoint Presentation
Direct Link to this Resource

Making Sense of Feelings Through Early Recollections with Dinko Aleksandrov
Part of the CAPS virtual 2020 Adlerian Summit

This presentation covers a variety of functions and purposes of human emotions. Why do we feel? What do feelings mean? What can we do about them if we don’t like them? One very effective way for understanding the subjective emotional tone embedded in people’s experiences is using Early Recollections. This workshop will review empirical evidence from cognitive psychology and neuroscience shedding light on memory processes involved in Early Recollections. Applications for clinical practice will also be addressed.


Added By: aramsay
Areas of Focus: Adlerian Summit 2020, Early Recollections
Resource Type: Video
Direct Link to this Resource
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