Superiority Complex

A superiority complex is a person’s defense mechanism that develops from the need to overcome underlying feelings of inferiority, according to Alfred Adler (1870–1937) who coined the term in the early 1900s. He saw dreams of heroism and a false assumption of success as reactive to the difficulties with feeling inadequate — with the inferiority complex and superiority complex as cause and effect. While Adler considered striving for superiority as common (as in ambition and success through work), he thought healthy individuals don’t strive for personal superiority over others. By contrast, those with an actual superiority complex were riddled with conceited fantasies and with dreams of immutable supremacy, coming across as arrogant, haughty, and disdainful toward others. They may treat others in an imperious, overbearing, and even aggressive manner. In everyday usage, the term can refer to an overly high opinion of oneself. Some 20 years after Adler’s publications, DSM IV disagreed a superiority complex (renamed grandiose delusion) came solely from the effects of an inferiority complex. Instead it stated a second cause to this delusional disorder could stem from an exaggerated emotional state. Other psychoanalysts believe both complexes can’t co-exist in the same person, since those with a superiority complex truly believe they’re superior to others — they have a self-image of supremacy, while those with an inferiority complex try to present themselves in the best light possible. Superiority complex people may speak as if they are all-knowing and better than others, but ultimately do not care if others think so or not (referred to illusory superiority).