Abstract:

Social interest is the positive attitude toward surrounding subjects and objects, the feel of identity of others and group affiliation, and the behavioral tendency of individual choices and decisions. Related researches have come to the foreground in the academia since it was proposed by Alfred Adler. The existing measuring tools involve Social Interest Index, Sulliman Social Interest Scale, and Social Interest Scale. Related researches showed that social interest as an important concept in psychological therapy, is associated with emotional experience and the levels of psychological development, useful in improving people’s life quality and reducing criminal behaviors. Future researches should focus on the following aspects: to make a through inquiry on the concept and structure of social interest, to refine the research methods, and to carry out indigenization researches.

Key words: Adler, social interest, social interest scale, psychological health