Adlerian Theory and Behavioural Theory - Essay Example

Discuss two approaches to Counselling, evaluate their theory and practice. Which approach is your preference and why? No: Instructor’s Name: Date: Discuss two approaches to Counselling, evaluate their theory and practice. Which approach is your preference and why? Counselling Counselling is a process of making things better, changing ways of thinking and taking things as positive. Counselling is not a treatment for mental people as this has become a misconception that people with weird thoughts need some type of counsellor. It can be seen as a need of today’s societies. In this rush era, where things appear to be imposed on us by the authorities or in a better way, we can say that we need a kind of sweet advice in order to make things better and feel good, for doing all the suggested tasks, counselling is important. We should think in broader ways to understand the need and importance of counselling in one’s life (McLeod 2003b). There are many counselling methods based on different counselling theories. The success of any type of counselling depends on the person and his requirements. Obviously, the environment and surroundings also have an effect on counselling. In most of the cases, mental therapy is required as things come from the brain, which is responsible for mental engagement. The reflex actions are taken by mental activities. So, counselling is not mainly for any ailment but it is a requirement of today’s life. One should not be hesitant in consulting any counsellor as it is important to make things better. Counsellor studies the case and after that, he decides which type of counselling a person needs. This is also dependent on the conditions provided by the person. The theories, which are being discussed below are Adlerian theory and Behavioural theory (Peele 1998). Adlerian Theory This theory is developed by Alfred Adler. Adler said that we act well when we feel that we are encouraged but we withdraw or give up when we are discouraged, we feel low in this case. The main thing in Adlerian theory is encouragement. It is the most important and key element for human success. It is a simple observation that encouragement and appreciation have pleasant affects on us and we try our best to do all the assigned jobs better. Adler uses this conception that our brain does not work using actual facts but it assumes the facts that it wants from the others, which are nice words and appreciation. He uses the subjective facts as he focuses on the perceptions of each person. As the word subjective refers to the point of view of an individual, so, Adler’s theory was based on this form (Corey 2009). The fact is that every problem or headache you posses is related to you. No other person will bear it for you so Adler uses this simple fact as basis of his theory. It is totally subjective. The second assumption made by Adler in his theory is that persons act in the way in which, they feel as if they are superior. He argues that search of being perfect is inevitable. People do the things which make them feel superior and the things, which they consider are ideal ones (Carlson, Watts & Maniacci 2006). These things sometimes lead towards inferiority complex. When people start to make comparison with others and strive hard in order to get perfection then they usually become a victim of inferiority complex. They are never satisfied, which has bad affects on human personality. He gives up a lot of things for gaining satisfaction. Their focus is on the weaknesses of their personality rather than keeping an eye on their hidden and prominent potentials (Carlson, Watts & Maniacci 2006). Adler’s theory deals with both past and present but mostly it deals with the present. He uses an assumption throughout his whole theory. The assumption is that people make use of the events that have occurred in six years. In this way, they recall old memories in which, there seems a pattern. This pattern often appears in their adult lives. The past is used as a piece, which can be used in a healthy way in order to make your present and future better. So, the past is very much important in Adlerian theory (Corey and Corey 2011). Behavioural Theory Behavioural theory is somewhat same as Adlerian theory. As the name suggests, this theory is based on the behaviours of human beings. The main idea of this theory is that since all the things depend on the behaviour so it should be used in order to understand the feelings and requirements of the personality. This is considered as the most effective way of therapy. This has happened because science is unable to measure the extent of psychoanalytic and phenomenological approaches. Behaviour depends on the environment. It is not wrong to say that behaviour is environment’s product. The things and changes that we witness have deep effect on our behaviours. The way we deal with others and respond to certain objects is all a part of this behavioural theory. It can be positive or negative according to the situations. This is not a weird thing as we act what we see and what we experience (McLeod 2003a). It is a common observation. This theory says that behaviours are shaped by learning process in addition to the environment and the surroundings. The undesirable behaviours can be changed by making effective use of the environment. This theory is concerned with the behaviours in order to change things positively. The purpose is to approach constructive pattern by eliminating maladaptive behaviours. So, behavioural theory is good in determining the processes using behaviours. This theory collaborates with the Adlerian theory. Both theories serve the purpose well (McLeod 2003a). Comparison between Adlerian and Behavioural Theory Both these theories are effective in the constructive building of human personalities. Neither the Adlerian theory nor behavioural theory is of less importance. Both of these theories work side by side. The Adlerian theory is based on encouragement whereas the Behavioural theory is concerned with the behaviours. Without encouragement, no one can survive in this world as we see a number of cases based on inferiority complex. Every living thing wants to be encouraged and appreciated. This is in nature and it cannot be changed. And this is surely a key towards success. But sometimes, it goes below its limits; inferiority complex. The desire of being perfect is a good thing until it changes into inferiority complex. This thing should be understood that every person is different from the other in his ways, we can say everyone is unique, which mean that it is possible to possess a unique ability, which is absent in other persons. If you strive to be fit in that thing then it usually leaves you in a complex state. This inferiority complex state has bad effects on the behaviours, which is a point of discussion for behavioural theory. Behaviours are related to what we see and what we like to see (McLeod 2003a). The environment has a great influence on our behaviours. The changes in our surroundings change our behaviours. So, in order to make the counselling therapy effective, study of behaviour is a good thing. We cannot deny the importance of both of these theories. Both have oceanic effects on counselling process. These theories can be applied on any type of people coming from diverse environments. It is a good practice to deal with the clients according to their behaviours in an environment as per their mindsets. Both theories should be used in a combination in order to get desirable results (Nugent and Jones 1994). Not merely these two theories but other counselling theories can also be used. Adlerian theory becomes effective in depression state. Like students come from diverse backgrounds having different languages, cultures and families, some of them excel in other disciplines receiving good grades and results while others fail to perform well. This has a negative effect on their mental state and they become depressed. Counselling becomes essential in this case and Adlerian theory works well in this frame of reference. A person gets encouragement treatment by his counsellor in this context. At the same time, behaviour theory helps the counsellor to understand what he wants to say or do in order to make counselling effective. The diverse backgrounds are always challenging to counsellors. A good counsellor is indeed a blessing (Carlson, Watts & Maniacci 2006). Counselling has huge effects on human personality. It makes them to deal things in a smooth way even in ill circumstances. This misconception should be removed that it is only for mentally ill people. The situations and conditions are not in our hand so anyone can be a victim of disturbance anywhere. In this technology bombardment, counselling is vital (Nystul 1999). Conclusion The importance of counselling cannot be denied. The above discussed theories are useful and beneficial in many ways. Any of them can be adopted according to the nature of the situation. The Adlerian theory has as far deep effects as well as Behavioural theory. Both cannot be used in a separated way. These theories go hand to hand. The results of both these two are efficient. Encouragement is necessary, which is the basis of Adlerian theory. It works well in depression context whereas behavioural theory takes an account of behaviours. Both work well in counselling context. Either of them will be good if conditions provided require one of them. Usually, these two occur in combination and have good outcomes. It is beneficient to use these two at the same time which is the priority of many counsellors. Bibliography Carlson, J., Watts, R. E., & Maniacci, M. 2006. Adlerian Therapy: Theory and practice. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. Corey, G, and Corey, M.S., 2011. Becoming a helper. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole. Corey, G., 2009. Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole. McLeod, G. 2003a. Learning theory and instructional design. Learning Matters,2, 35-43. Mcleod, J. 2003b. An Introduction to Counselling. London: Open University Press. Nugent, F. A., and Jones, K. D. 1994. Introduction to the profession of counseling. New York: Merrill. Nystul, M. S. 1999. Introduction to counseling. London: Allyn and Bacon. Peele, S. 1998. The meaning of addiction: An unconventional view. London: Jossey Bass Publishers. Read More