Superiority complex

A superiority complex is a defense mechanism that develops over time to help a person cope with feelings of inferiority.^[1]^[2] The term was coined by Alfred Adler (1870–1937) in the early 1900s, as part of his school of individual psychology.

Individuals with a superiority complex typically come across as supercilious, haughty, and disdainful toward others. They may treat others in an imperious, overbearing, and even aggressive manner.^[3]^[4]

In everyday usage, the term is often used to refer to an overly high opinion of oneself.

^ Adler, Alfred (1917). The Neurotic Constitution: Outlines of a Comparative Individualistic Psychology and Psychotherapy. Translated by Bernard Glueck and John E. Lind. New York: Moffat, Yard & Co. p. xvii. ... so the traits of character, especially the neurotic ones, serve as a psychic means and form of expression for the purpose of entering into an account with life, for the purpose of assuming an attitude, of gaining a fixed point in the vicissitudes of life, for the purpose of reaching that security-giving goal, the feeling of superiority.
^ "superiority complex". American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (5th ed.). 2018. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
^ Adler 1917, p. 327 "Usually one sees deviations and circuitous paths in following which the sadistic trait seems wholly or in part lost. In this way the neurotic succeeds in gaining superiority over the weak, or he operates on this new line so skillfully as to manage to set up an aggression which enables him to dominate and torture others.".
^ "superiority complex". Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing. Retrieved 5 October 2020. ...a constellation of behaviors–eg, aggressiveness, assertiveness, self-aggrandization, etc, which may represent overcompensation for a deep-rooted sense of inadequacy.

[:2-1] Adler, Alfred (1917). The Neurotic Constitution: Outlines of a Comparative Individualistic Psychology and Psychotherapy. Translated by Bernard Glueck and John E. Lind. New York: Moffat, Yard & Co. p. xvii. ... so the traits of character, especially the neurotic ones, serve as a psychic means and form of expression for the purpose of entering into an account with life, for the purpose of assuming an attitude, of gaining a fixed point in the vicissitudes of life, for the purpose of reaching that security-giving goal, the feeling of superiority.

[2] "superiority complex". American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (5th ed.). 2018. Retrieved 5 October 2020.

[FOOTNOTEAdler1917p._327_"Usually_one_sees_deviations_and_circuitous_paths_in_following_which_the_sadistic_trait_seems_wholly_or_in_part_lost._In_this_way_the_neurotic_succeeds_in_gaining_superiority_over_the_weak,_or_he_operates_on_this_new_line_so_skillfully_as_to_manage_to_set_up_an_aggression_which_enables_him_to_dominate_and_torture_others."-3] Adler 1917, p. 327 "Usually one sees deviations and circuitous paths in following which the sadistic trait seems wholly or in part lost. In this way the neurotic succeeds in gaining superiority over the weak, or he operates on this new line so skillfully as to manage to set up an aggression which enables him to dominate and torture others.".

[4] "superiority complex". Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing. Retrieved 5 October 2020. ...a constellation of behaviors–eg, aggressiveness, assertiveness, self-aggrandization, etc, which may represent overcompensation for a deep-rooted sense of inadequacy.

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