This could be called the concept of overall-goal. Functioning in the sense of individual significance can only exist on condition of belonging to the total. Individualization becomes isolation, which is the beginning of the neurotic attitude. In Adlerian psychology man is seen as a social being. Therefore emphasis is stressed on his way of living with and cooperating with his fellow men in relationships, work, and love.
Every action serves a purpose.
Both action and lack of action characterize the individual. If the individual has capacities which he does not develop or use, his lack of action is typical for his life style. He has choice, because as a human being he is capable of reasoning. Whatever he might do, he would be determined by his fate. However, when we study life as it presents itself, we observe that man is capable of turning negative into positive.