Worthington, not Delaney: An Adlerian Analysis of a Generation Y Teenager - Case Study Example

Worthington, not Delaney An Adlerian Analysis of a Generation Y Teenager 26 May 2008 Worthington, not Delaney An Adlerian Analysis of a Generation Y Teenager From 12 January 2008 until 16 January 2008, Corey Worthington Delaney of Australia became a media star after hosting a party of 500 at his home. Six months later, very little attention is being paid to his actions, and at the age of 16, his adjustment to the letdown cannot be healthy. Adlerian psychotherapy, developed by renowned psychiatrist Alfred Adler, might benefit Corey, because Adler treats the whole person, mind and body. On the other hand, the generalized and somewhat idealistic principles set forth by Adler might not have the needed effect, simply because Corey must be willing to accept offered therapy, and with his lack of maturity and resistance to authority, that is doubtful (Watts 2003). Brief Bio of Alfred Adler Alfred Adler was born in Vienna in 1870, decided in childhood to be a physician and ultimately earned a medical degree from the University of Vienna. He began his medical career as an ophthalmologist but moved into general practice. By the early 1900s, he had turned to psychiatry and was invited to join Sigmund Freud's discussion group. Adler's criticisms of Freud led to his forming his own group, the Society for Individual Psychology (Boeree 2003). According to Boeree, Adler's theory of a motivating force to fulfill potential was what he called "striving for perfection." The idea was that social interest, inherent and learned, can lead to fulfillment if nurtured. Adler (Slaney, Ashby & Trippi 1995, p. 280) considers that "striving for perfection" is innate and universal and while normal individuals set difficult but attainable goals that can be adjusted, neurotics set unrealistic goals and require superiority in all things. It seems obvious in Corey' Worthington's case that his goals are unrealistic and probably will not be realized by him, even though his agent promises him fame and fortune. It was Alfred Adler's belief that a person who is too self-interested will not be fulfilled and the failure is due to feelings of inferiority and lack of concern for others, only concern about self. Physical inferiority, Boeree (2003) notes, is brought about by outside forces and if an individual like Corey who is small for his age allows these feelings to take over, the result will be a tendency to be self-centered, antisocial, and lose support from others. A superiority complex might also develop when inferior feelings are covered up by practicing attention-getting dramatics that create a sense of power as is the case with Corey. According to T.W. Allen (1972 p. 4), the anniversary of Alfred Adler's birth in 1970 reinstated interest in his principles, which mainly had been associated with inferiority complex and were often considered a petulant contradiction of Freud. It became obvious, however, as new studies of Adler have been made, that his concept was a simple and successful method of analysis, and his Individual Psychology concept could especially benefit modern society. Adlerian Principles If Corey were willing to go into counseling in which the 12 Adlerian principles (Stein 2008; Croake 1983) are applied, he would first meet with a therapist who could perhaps (1) establish empathy by showing respect for him. In all of Corey's interactions with others in the limelight, no one ever showed him respect. If the therapist could establish a camaraderie, Corey would probably welcome the opportunity to (2) talk about his childhood, his problems adjusting to his stepfather, what happened to his father, whether he is angry that his parents show little compassion for him. When he understands why his feelings of superiority are (3) actually brought about by feelings of inferiority, he can begin to (4) move in a new direction. His mother and stepfather do not really (5) offer the connections he needs, and it will be difficult for him to make an effort to communicate with them unless they appreciate their own need for counseling. Corey might reach a point where he (6 & 7) feels blocked, and role playing, guided imagery, and group dynamics could promote emotional breakthroughs. At this point, Corey might (8) convert his new insight into positive results and feelings. Using this (9) new insight, the therapist could help him to care about others. By learning to (10) give of himself and take necessary risks, Corey might feel equal to others rather than inferior or superior. By (11) letting go of self and the old fictional goal, the previous style of life will be dissolved. Corey would be (12) launched into a new way of living for self and others, promoting a path of continual growth. The actions of Corey Worthington at age 16 are reflective of Adler's discussion about a "superiority complex" and why this complex develops (Stein 2008). This method of therapy depends, however, on the client's willingness to accept it openly and make an effort to follow the principles. The analysis above seems deceptively simple, and a 16-year-old is apt to reject it from the beginning. When Corey Delaney nee Worthington gained international fame by giving a party for 500 peers at his home in Narre Warren South while his parents were away (Farouque & Cooke; Robinson 2008), the act centered on his identity as a member of Generation Y-children born in the 1990s and presently rivaling in numbers the "baby boomers" of the late 1950s and early 1960s. In fact, they are the children of the baby boomers, exceeding their parents' birth rate numbers and therefore targeted by the advertising arena. Are these '90s' children different from teens in other generations If so, what sets them apart If not, what makes them the same How does 16-year-old Corey Worthington-not Delaney, he insists-fit the Adlerian profile, the principles of individual psychology as set forth by Alfred Adler a hundred years ago and still considered applicable The fact that an Australian teenager gained international attention indicates the global impact of information technology, just as the advent of television affected the baby-boomer generation. Because both the development and organization of an individual's knowledge of self and the world have come to play a central role in current theories of counseling and psychotherapy, Adler's holistic view of the person offers a useful method of analysis (Watts 2003, p. 139). Adler's direct approach, his concepts of social interest, guiding fiction, and pampered life style are singled out in the kinship of humanistic psychology to Alfred Adler's individual psychology. For Adler, "social interest was the most important dimension of personality, giving direction to the basic human striving and furnishing the criterion of mental health" (Ansbacher 1990, p. 49). The Teen Years Throughout Generations The labeling of generations began after World War II when a record number of children were born in this country and by the time they reached their teens were making themselves known through their rebellious acts. According to Haskins and Benson's The Sixties Reader (cited in Allen, MN 1996, p.162), they were the first to grow up with television, the first to have their own money to spend, and the first to take for granted a college education in a society beginning to place new value on higher education. Generation Y children have even more purchasing power than their parents did, and advertisers have latched on to this market, with the 'tweens and teens of the 21st century well aware of their marketing appeal. This constant attention has encouraged these children to look for Andy Warhol's "15 minutes of fame" (cited in Bartlett, 1980, p. 908) in order to rise above the rest of the pack. Generation Y Generation Y is the generation born in the electronic age, with information technology developing more quickly than the children themselves. They take for granted the ability to communicate instantly with people all over the world. Instead of school organizations like the Boys and Girls Clubs, the creation of Web sites like YouTube and MySpace as well as the ability to film online videos offer users immediate discussion and connection in real time of different events. One problem that has arisen in this age group is that many teens lack a work ethic, have little respect for authority, and their goals do not go beyond a college education. They expect opportunities to come to them. Therefore, video games and blogging become their priorities. They are, however, according to Mark McCrindle, "seeking more than friendships. They want community: to be understood, accepted, respected and included" (2002, par. 11). They want to be part of their peer group and will do outrageous things to keep from being bored. This is a skeptical generation with a need for trustworthy guidance. Because of their numbers, advertisers focus on what these young people might want, and, too often, the reality of the product doesn't live up to the hype. They are also carrying the baggage of their baby-boomer parents who became disillusioned with the so-called "American Dream" with assassinations, illegal quiz shows, an unpopular war, and environmental concerns bringing about a social revolution in the Sixties (Allen, MN 1996). The most depressing time in a child's life, no matter what the generation, would seem to be the years between 13 and 18, a time when the children are positive they know more than their parents but are apt to see world affairs as hopeless. Rebellion at this time is inevitable. Does Corey Worthington Delaney Represent Generation Y Corey Worthington would appear to fit the above characteristics and then some, but he represents the high end of the maladjusted scale, with his actions and attitude going beyond normal aspects of Generation Y. Even so, he fits every description of this generation and becomes the epitome of bad behavior. Alfred Adler sees the individual as society embedded, with a need to belong. Life becomes constant movement, consisting of search, choice, change and creativity (Fulgham 2000; Watts 2003). The ultimate goal is to live in harmony. Watts goes on to say "Adlerian therapy affirms that humans cannot be understood apart from their social context and relationships therein" (2003, p. 145). Because his "party animal" behavior made the news online and became the discussion of the moment on various Web sites, Corey made the most of his instant fame and exhibited a superiority complex with a negative attitude toward authority. Since his actions relate to Alfred Adler's program of Individual Psychology, he becomes, as previously noted, a candidate for Adler's principles. In a global community, with the media always looking for newsworthy items, it is not surprising that Corey's actions became a media frenzy. The story by Farouque and Cooke (2008) was biased from the first, with the lead basically describing Corey as either a legend or a moron. Any teen reading the story would prefer to be considered a legend, of course. Corey might be pleased by the attention he received, but being called a moron would not help him increase his self esteem. Also, what feeds his "fictional final goal" is the contact by an agent who considers bad behavior a salable commodity. Robinson's story (2008) focused more on Corey's mental health and described him as being either a "messiah" or a "naughty boy." Robinson continues his story by exploring today's teens, describing them as more independent, resolving their own problems but with little consideration for others, and with a small group always becoming alienated. It is the small group that gains the attention of the media, and Robinson puts Corey in this category. According to Robinson, clinical psychologist Bob Montgomery views adolescents like Corey as maladjusted and a real risk--"a kid with no discipline" (par. 7). Without counseling, Dr. Montgomery says, he is apt to "spiral downwards." In the case of Corey Worthington, his mental health, according to his public persona, has evolved into a mental disorder, with exaggerated significance or superiority over others leading to what Adler calls a fictional final goal. Adler's Approach to Mental Health Adler's principles, according to Stein (2008) are intended to change the core personality, liberating the individual from a fictional final goal. The guidelines relate to a holistic vision and the interconnectedness of each individual's past, present, and future. Adler's approach was gentle and creative, always for the benefit of the client, according to Stein. Limitations due to a habitual mistake pattern become a style of life, sometimes with fewer mistakes, sometimes with many. When it interferes with ability to perform the main tasks of life-friendship, occupation, love and sex, it becomes a pattern of mistakes leading to what Adler calls a fictional final goal. Because style of life is built on private logic, the community of common sense or logic can be achieved only by dissolving private logic. When a client is trapped within a self-imposed enclosure, the client must be guided toward a concern for others. Layers explored here between the actual style of life exhibited by Corey Worthington and a useful Adlerian analysis are: The choice of language used in the news stories regarding Corey Worthington: News stories are often presented as more sensational than they really are due to the language used by journalists intended to create excitement-for instance, in almost all media coverage on Corey, certain images were repeated-500 party goers, oversize hip-hop sunglasses, pierced nipple, peroxided hair, along with alcohol-fueled rampage, marauding teenagers, bad attitude, making Corey feel he is more important than he is. The actions and quotes from Corey's parents, as set forth in the stories: His parents-mother and stepfather-appeared on Channel Seven, while at the Gold Coast on vacation, to admonish Corey and beg him to come home when it appeared he was in hiding. His stepfather called him a "show pony" and his mother acted as peace keeper. They were more concerned about how the event affected the neighborhood than on where their son might be. Two weeks later, they were included in a television interview on A Current Affair in which they were involved in the business plan of Corey's agent Max Markson to turn him into a dance party promoter earning up to $100,000 (Corey Delaney's Parents 2008). The various online reactions of members of his peer group: The reactions of his peer group were not surprising, with most of them praising his ingenuity and making him their hero, although it doesn't seem as though he will be considered a "legend," since interest in his antics had waned two weeks after the incident, and he is no longer considered that newsworthy on MySpace. Corey's plans for the future: As for Corey's future, it appears his ego is carrying him beyond reality. What makes him an icon at age 16 will not keep him there when he is 20. He needs counseling, but considering his defiant attitude and his parents' focus on how much money he can make rather than his mental health, it is unlikely that will happen. Conclusion Who is Corey Worthington Delaney Should he be on display as a role model for other teens Various descriptions of him either consider him as a monster, as clueless and stupid, as a "wannabe" celebrity, or as a seriously maladjusted teen who needs help before he crashes and hurts someone. In one online interview, he apparently admitted to using crack cocaine, and if this is true, Corey has a tragic future ahead of him. His most recent claim to fame was an unexpected appearance on the television show Big Brother. He crashed the filming of the program on 3 May 2008 and allegedly earned $10,000 (Check It Out 2008). An article in the Herald Sun noted that he was underage and therefore could not be a regular on the program (Corey Worthington 2008). Is it likely that Corey Worthington (Delaney) will become well adjusted in the near future He is still very young and has a few more years to act as a representative for members of his age group, but too soon another Generation-Generation Z, which is already on the horizon-will be taking over. What surprises will they come up with There is so much competition among members of the global community that only those who are willing to take chances and offer innovative solutions will be the future leaders in the business world. Even more important is the willingness of these young people to look to the needs of others above themselves. Since it doesn't appear that Corey has any special talents, what does the future hold for him It would appear that he is being developed by his agent to be a promoter, but it is far more likely he will fail in the long run. And if he becomes successful in this field, will it corrupt his ability to fit in Teens are not the only ones who want to belong to a peer group. It's very much a part of success in business. Without counseling, Corey might make his own way to success, but at present, he needs the guidance-good or bad-of an adult. It would appear that Alfred Adler's methods of analysis are especially relevant in the 21st century, even though they are not as simple as they appear. The main problem with today's young people is that they are not expected to perform at a high level, especially in the United States education system. Adler believed that education was the most efficient method of preventing emotional disturbance and brought his child guidance clinics for families to the United States (Croake 1983). In terms of career choice and career development, perfectionism becomes an important factor and how that applies to someone like Corey Worthington might have a great deal to do with his family and what their expectations or lack of expectations of him might be. According to Eist (1999), Adler was sickly as a child, which, along with negative family impact, may have influenced his belief that humans, as social creatures, have a positive social sense that needs nurture. Corey is perhaps showing his social sense as he tries to rise above his small stature and his lack of communication with family by exhibiting a superiority complex. For Adler, "social interest was the most important dimension of personality, giving direction to the basic human striving and furnishing the criterion of mental health" (Ansbacker 1990 p. 49). Until Corey looks outside himself to understand and appreciate others, he will not succeed. Adler, a leader in the child guidance movement, argued for treatment, not punishment, for delinquents and: gave us the concepts of inferiority and superiority complexes, the drive for mastery, compensation and overcompensation, the effect of birth order personality, and the importance of positive reinforcement for the building of self-esteem (Eist 1999, par. 3). References Allen, M. 1996, One Hundred Years of Children's Books in America: Decade by Decade, Facts On File, New York. Allen, T.W. 1972, The individual psychology of alfred adler: an item of history and a promise of a revolution, The Counseling Psychologist 1972;3;3, viewed 23 May 2008, http://tcp.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/3/1/3 Ansbacher, H.L. 1990, Alfred Adler's Influence on the Three Leading Cofounders of Humanistic Psychology 1990;30;45, viewed 23 May 2008, http://jhp.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/30/4/45 Bartlett, J. 1980, Familiar Quotations: A collection of passages, phrases and proverbs traced to their sources in ancient and modern literature, ed. Emily Morison Beck, Little, Brown and Company, Boston, p. 908. Boeree, C. G. 2003, Individual, Existential, and Humanistic Psychology. General Psychology, viewed 12 May 2008, http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/genpsyhumanists.html Check It Out 2008 (posted by Charles Winters), viewed 19 May 2008, http://gaysocialites.com/2008/05/corey_worthington_from_party_p.html Corey Delaney's Parents: Show Me the Money 25 January 2008, The Daily Boomerang, viewed 17 May 2008, http://dailyboomerang.com/2008/01/25/corey-delaneys-parents-show-me-the-money/ Corey Worthington gatecrashes Big Brother 2008, Herald Sun, 5 May 2008, viewed 19 May 2008, http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23646779-2902,00.html Croake, J.W. 1983, Adlerian Parent Education, The Counseling Psychologist, 11;3;65-71 (1983), viewed 23 May 2008, http://tcp.sagepub.com/cgi/content/refs/11/3/65 Eist, H.I., reviewer, 1999, of The Drive for Self: Alfred Adler and the Founding of Individual Psychology, by Edward Hoffman, Reading Mass: Addison Wesley, 1997, in The American Journal of Psychiatry 156;1110, July 1999, viewed 23 May 2008, http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/156/7/1110 Farouque, F. & Cooke, D. 2008, Legend, moron or just a naughty boy, Corey's the talk of the global village, The Age 16 January. McCrindle, M. 2002, Generation Y, The Australian Leadership Foundation, viewed 15 May 2008, http://www.learningtolearn.sa.edu.au/Colleagues/files/links/UnderstandingGenY.pdf Robinson, R. 2008, Generation Why Herald-Sun 19 January 2008. Slaney, R.B. Ashby, J.S. Trippi, J. 1995, Perfectionism: Its Measurement and Career Relevance, Journal of Career Assessment, 3;3;279-297 (1995), viewed 23 May 2008, http://jca.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/3/3/279 Stein, H. T. 2008, Basic Principles of Adlerian Psychology, Alfred Adler Institutes of San Francisco and Northwestern Washington, viewed 12 May 2008, http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/hstein/ Watts, R.E. 2003, Adlerian Therapy as a Relational Constructivist Approach, The Family Journal 2003;11;139, viewed 23 May 2008, http://tfj.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/11/2/139 Read More