Art as a means of eliciting and interpreting early recollections in Adlerian life style assessment

Abstract

This study was conducted to develop a method of using art to elicit and interpret Early Recollections in Adlerian Life Style Assessment. A convenient sample of four graduate students participated in the study which was divided into three consecutively conducted interviews: (1) The Family Constellation; (2) The Painting and Conjoint Interpretation of Early Recollections; (3) The Post-Assessment Interview. Drawing and painting have long been recognized as expressions of the self or of lifestyle. Life Style in Individual Psychology is representative of an individual's subjective reality; how that reality influences one's aims; and how one goes about achieving them. The findings of this study indicate that this methodology, in which the recollection is visually recreated and conjointly interpreted, is facilitative not only of recall and expression of emotion, but also helps participants achieve for themselves, insights into their Life Style.