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Superiority complex refers to a subconscious neurotic mechanism of compensation developed by the individual as a result of feelings of inferiority.^[1] The feelings of inferiority in this specific complex are often brought on by real or perceived social rejection, possibly as a result of the individual's inattentiveness to hygiene, appearance, or lower intelligence as compared to others. The term was coined by Alfred Adler (February 7, 1870 – May 28, 1937), as part of his School of Individual psychology. Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Image File history File links Question_book-3. ... Image File history File links Broom_icon. ... Alfred Adler (February 7, 1870 – May 28, 1937) was an Austrian medical doctor and psychologist, founder of the school of individual psychology. ... The term individual psychology can be used to refer to what is more commonly known as differential psychology or the psychology of individual differences. ...

Some people brought up in a background where one has to fulfill high expectations and have been able to do so may feel superior towards others. To some, it is part of their nature.^{[citation needed]}

Those exhibiting the superiority complex commonly project their feelings of inferiority onto others they perceive as beneath them, possibly for the same reasons they themselves may have been ostracized, i.e. viewing most, possibly all others as "ugly" or "stupid", and beneath oneself. Accusations of arrogance and cockiness are often made by others when referring to the individual exhibiting the superiority complex.^{[citation needed]} Look up Arrogance in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Behaviors related to this mechanism may include an exaggeratedly positive opinion of one’s worth and abilities, unrealistically high expectations in goals and achievements for oneself and others, the persistent attempt to correct others regardless of whether they are factually correct or not, vanity, extravagant style in dressing (with intent of drawing attention), excessive need for competition, pride, sentimentalism and affected exaltation, snobbishness, a tendency to discredit other’s opinions, forcefulness aimed at dominating those considered as weaker or less important, credulity, and others.^{[citation needed]}

Social aloofness, daydreaming and isolation could also be associated to the Superiority Complex, as a way to evade the fear of failure related to the feelings of inadequacy to face the real world.^{[attribution needed]}

Superiority and inferiority complex are often found together as the different expressions of the same pathology and the two complexes can exist within the same individual.^{[citation needed]} Superiority can also be caused by PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).^{[dubious – discuss]} This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is a term for the psychological consequences of exposure to or confrontation with stressful experiences, which involve actual or threatened death, serious physical injury or a threat to physical integrity and which the person found highly traumatic. ... Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is a term for the psychological consequences of exposure to or confrontation with stressful experiences, which involve actual or threatened death, serious physical injury or a threat to physical integrity and which the person found highly traumatic. ...

See also

• Superiority
• Narcissism
• Egotism
• Inferiority complex

Superior has various meanings: A superior is a person who has the authority to command another, as in a superior officer. See: Superior (function) In a hierarchical structure of any kind, a superior is higher in the hierarchy and thus closer to the apex than the subordinate ones. ... This article is about narcissism as a word in common use. ... Egotism is the the motivation to maintain and enhance favorable views of self to the point of being self-destructive. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

References