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The progress of science is characterized by the formulation of theories on the basis of controlled or uncontrolled observations. The theory suggests further controlled observations, which in turn lead to its confirmation, modification, or rejection. The present paper is concerned with sociologist Alfred Adler's theory of memory and its position today in the light of subsequent research. Adler's views relate specifically to the dynamics of recall in general and the significance of earliest childhood recollections. This is in accord with, his interest in the idiographic rather than the problems of psychology, that is, the problem concerned with the understanding of some particular event in a particular individual rather than those concerned with the finding of general laws. This study by no means exhausts the significance of earliest recollections. Clinical examination of each case would undoubtedly uncover a wealth of further relationships, as would also greater refinement of categories. Adler's view that it is underlying attitudes, which largely determine individual recall, has been substantiated by extensive important research. His view that early childhood recollections are particularly expressive of an individual's basic attitude toward life has been tentatively substantiated by some preliminary research.

An abstract of the article "Jugendliche rechtsbrecher und ihr beruf-eine untersuchung der münchener straffälligen jugendlichen des jahres 1937/Delinquent adolescents and their vocation. A study of convicted adolescents in Munich during 1937," by O. Doll, G. Berner and W. Ruhfus is presented.

Alfred Adler (1870-1937) one of the four original members of what was to become the Vienna Psychoanalytic Society, was the first to accept a humanistic-educational model of man in contrast to Freud's medical model of man. This was in line with his deep involvement with prevention; in fact his original interest was in medical prevention. The present paper describes how his work touched on all the points of the contemporary field of psychological prevention. He developed a personality theory most suitable for application in prevention, education and brief psychotherapy. He identified various categories of children at risk. He advocated the right to abortion partly to prevent the birth of a child severely at risk by being unwanted. He considered the then existing dominance of the male sex to be damaging to both sexes. He engaged in practical prevention work by addressing general audiences and especially teachers and by the establishment of and participation in Educational Counseling Centers. He felt that the honest psychologist for reasons of prevention is bound to social advocacy, and that a true psychology of mental health merges into a corresponding world philosophy. These points are fully documented with quotations and references.

Alfred Adler's significance for the concept of narcissism is presented with reference to four aspects: 1) Adler's theory of masculine protest was evidently a factor influencing Freud to turn toward the phenomenon of narcissism. 2) Present-day understanding of narcissism shows remarkable similarity to Adler's views on psychodynamics and neurotic egocentricity. 3) Some contemporary criticisms of Freud's theory of narcissism are very similar to Adler's criticism. 4) Adler's theory of social interest permits subsumption of narcissism under lack of social interest rather than acceptance of it as an expression of innate socially negative tendencies.

This is a previously unpublished work by Alfred Adler that was written in 1936 as a preface to The Diary of Vaslav Nijinsky. A theory of schizophrenia is described in which characteristic prepsychotic features, especially lack of social interest and oversensitivity to real and imagined slights, lead to increasing irrationalism and preoccupation with grandiose ideas. The establishment of a cooperative therapeutic relationship and the instilling of hope are presented as central factors for successful treatment.

In his preface to The Diary of Vaslav Nijinsky, Alfred Adler (1) found his theory of the dynamics of schizophrenia supported in the Diary, (2) alluded to Nijinsky's prepsychotic personality, and (3) briefly touched on the possibility and conditions of recovery. To add to the understanding of Adler's "Preface," this discussion (1) expands his theory of schizophrenia, (2) gives some concrete data of Nijinsky's prepsychotic personality, (3) describes two episodes of recovery subsequent to the "Preface," and (4) introduces an important aspect of Adler's theory, which he had to omit out of consideration for Nijinsky's wife, Romola-namely, her role in her husband's disorder. With the larger theoretical and historical context established. Adler's "Preface" can be appreciated for its predictive validity.