Alfred Adler was an Austrian medical doctor, psychotherapist, and the founder of the school of individual psychology. His emphasis on the importance of feelings of inferiority, the inferiority complex, is recognized as a key element in personality development. Adler considered human beings as an individual whole, which is why he called his approach 'Individual Psychology'. He was a pioneer in advocating for feminism and believed in treating children with respect while cautioning against both pampering and neglect.