1. the psychological theory of Alfred Adler, which is based on the idea that throughout life individuals strive for a sense of mastery, completeness, and belonging and are governed by a conscious drive to overcome their sense of inferiority by developing to their fullest potential, obtaining their life goals, and creating their own styles of life. This is opposed to the view that human beings are dominated by “blind,” irrational instincts operating on an unconscious level. Also called Adlerian psychology.

2. historically, a synonym for differential psychology.