INFERIORITY COMPLEX

Alfred Adler, a renown psychiatrist of the early 20th century, introduced and coined the concept of inferiority complex. It has now lost its consistent meanings and usage. However, below is my best explanation of what it is in gist.

Inferiority complex is when someone feels inferior to others and results in either anti-social behavior or overcompensation by being overly aggressive or by having the need for over-achievement. Often times this dysfunction stems from childhood experiences that involve lack of social approval/rejection. Sometimes it is intensified by comparisons to older siblings and/or adults. The child feels inadequate and incompetent. It's also caused by the adult's imposition to the child unrealistic, high expectations and excessive negative, non-constructive criticisms. It is mostly subconscious and it is what drives the afflicted towards overcompensation.

How this dysfunction manifests itself in life?
Those afflicted constantly seek social approval and have the need to 'prove' to others their capabilities (also have the need to 'constantly keep up with others'; think that 'what they do and what they have is never good enough', thus dismissing/discounting their own strengths and/or talents/gifts and are unable to appreciate them; become overly sensitive so that they take everything personally or that they easily take offense to a many things being said). Social approval becomes more important than pursuit of happiness. They lack true confidence, obviously, and have low self esteem. What is not obvious sometimes is they may have false confidence in which they are insecure and are riddled with self-doubts in their minds, but that they attempt to project the image of confidence. A lot of people are better at trying to project the image of confidence than in being confident. Usually, such individuals carry the energy around with them that they are on top of the world and can do no wrong. I have seen those with inferiority complex hold respected positions and are placed in the pedestals within their community simply because they've worked hard to project the opposite image and have succeeded.

How to minimize or prevent inferiority complex?
Each child is a unique, special individual and needs to be treated as such. Show support and validation by giving him/her lots of praise. Encourage what s(he) likes to do and show appreciation even for the smallest accomplishments. Do not be overly critical of what s(he) does; but use positive, constructive criticism whenever possible. Do not compare the child to others and do not place too much pressure onto him/her to abide by exceedingly high standards. Do not use the child and make him/her into a trophy child so that you can impress your friends with the child and/or their accomplishments while enhancing your status as a parent.


If anyone would like to agree or disagree, add and/or comment on this, or any of the issues discussed in this blog; pls do. Or you may bring up an issue. What triggered me to write this and other issues is sometimes I question our behaviors and what they mean. And more importantly what messages we are trying to send to the rest. There are reasons why we do things that we do and think the way we do. I am not free of issues and I believe everyone have issues to a certain degree in life. If we at least try to understand some concepts and reflect on these issues, we are halfway there in understanding humankind and in turn, ourselves.