Earliest Recollections and Birth Order: Two Adlerian Exercises

Abstract

Two exercises demonstrate the potential influence of two Adlerian principles—earliest recollections and birth order—on personality. In one exercise, students record and study their earliest recollection. In another exercise, students discuss their position in their family constellation. Students rated both exercises highly; undergraduates valued the birth order exercise more, but graduate students valued the earliest recollections exercise more.