Basic mistakes in Adlerian therapy refer to:

• A. Self-defeating beliefs influence a person's behavior
• B. Persistent denial of personal responsibility
• C. Immediate self-actualization
• D. Unconditional acceptance of all feedback

Answer: (A)

In Adlerian therapy, basic mistakes are the self-defeating beliefs that shape how a person sees themselves and the world, and at the same time guide their actions. When someone holds rigid, negative beliefs—like “I must be perfect to be loved” or “I can’t influence my life”—these beliefs steer behavior in ways that keep the person stuck and help them confirm the belief. That’s why the option describing self-defeating beliefs influencing behavior is the best answer.

The other ideas don’t fit as well. Denying personal responsibility is related to how people cope with beliefs, but the fundamental label Adlerian therapy uses for these patterns is the mistaken beliefs themselves. Immediate self-actualization isn’t a goal emphasized in Adlerian work, which focuses more on responsibility and social connectedness. Unconditional acceptance of all feedback describes a stance from some therapies rather than a basic mistake Adler identified.