This document discusses the concept of "acting as if" in Adlerian psychology. It is one of Alfred Adler's basic assumptions that individuals construct fictions or realities to help them navigate through life. The concept of "acting as if" suggests that one can create new outcomes or stories for their life by behaving as if certain beliefs are already true. In therapy, an Adlerian approach uses reflective questioning and role modeling to help clients "act as if" they possess qualities like confidence or ability to achieve goals in order to actually develop those qualities.

1. Acting "As If"
OneoftheBasicAssumptionsof
AdlerianPsychology
By: Samantha Brown
Graduate Student atAdler University
This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND.

2. Definition
 The idea that an individual constructs fictions to help
navigate them through life (Mosak & Maniacci, 1999)
 Only exists in theory: An idea that an individual creates
their own reality; can be positive or negative

3. KeyConcepts
One of Alfred Adler's basic
assumptions of Individual Psychology
Also considered a "blueprint" of
Adler's theory
Term helped coined by Hans
Vaihinger, a collegue of Adler

4. Importance of
Principle in
Alderian
Therapy
 Helps increase a client's self-awareness of their assumptions
about themselves through helping them accomplish what they
believe they cannot
 Can be used as a method of encouragement to facilitate client
goals
 Gives a client the opportunity to form new outcomes or create
new stories about their lives

5. Intervention
&Techniques
Reflective Questioning to access a client's creativity
Examples:
"If you were acting as if you were confident, what would you be
saying/doing different?"
"How would you act in a situation where you are being a good
parent?"
"If you were to make a new friend, how would you act to make them
feel comfortable?"

6. Intervention &
Techniques
Con.
 Ask the client to envision a Role Model when perceiving how to
handle a situation or task at hand.
Examples:
"How may this person handle this situation?"
"What do you admire about how this person is acting?"
 Commitment
As a therapist, it is important to keep the client commited. If the
client wants to change, they need be willing.

7. Application
ofSelf-
Analysis to
Concept
 For me, the principle of "acting as if" is very powerful.When applying it to
myself, I think of the numerous ways of how I can fulfill my life through
essentially believing in myself, whether I truly believe it or not.When we
choose to believe in these "truths", it becomes a reality.This concept falls into
every area of my life in various ways. I am going to list the most positive
outcomes when applying the concept to various areas of my life, as one of
Adler's other principles of Individual Psychology is Optimism.
-Work: When I act "as if" I am just as valuable as any of my coworkers, I begin to
feel as if I fit in with them.
-School: When I act "as if" I can balance my school-work with other areas of my
life, I begin to complete my work in a timely fashion.
-Personal: When I act "as if" I am outgoing, I begin to talk and socialize more at
social gatherings.
-Relationships: When I act "as if" I am worthy of receiving respect from a
person, I begin to attract those who respect me.

8. References
 Mosak, H. H., & Maniacci, M. P. (1999). A primer of Adlerian
psychology:The analytic-behavioral-cognitive psychology of Alfred
Adler. Philadelphia, PA: Brunner/Mazel.