Inferiority complex

An inferiority complex, in the fields of psychology and psychoanalysis, is a feeling that one is inferior to others in some way. Such feelings can arise from an imagined or actual inferiority in the afflicted person. It is often subconscious, and is thought to drive afflicted individuals to overcompensate, resulting either in spectacular achievement or extreme antisocial behavior, or both. Unlike a normal feeling of inferiority, which can act as an incentive for achievement, an inferiority complex is an advanced state of discouragement, often resulting in a retreat from difficulties.

Early work in this field was pioneered by Alfred Adler, who used the example of Napoleon complexes to illustrate his theory. Some sociologists have proposed that an inferiority complex can also exist at a wider level, affecting entire cultures. This theory, which is controversial, is known as cultural cringe.

Classical Adlerian psychology makes a distinction between primary and secondary inferiority feelings. A primary inferiority feeling is said to be rooted in the young child's original experience of weakness, helplessness and dependency. It can then be intensified by comparisons to older siblings and adults. A secondary inferiority feeling relates to an adult's experience of being unable to reach an unconscious, fictional final goal of subjective security and success to compensate for the inferiority feelings. The perceived distance from that goal would lead to a "minus" feeling that could then prompt the recall of the original inferiority feeling; this composite of inferiority feelings could be experienced as overwhelming. The goal invented to relieve the original, primary feeling of inferiority which actually causes the secondary feeling of inferiority is the "catch-22" of this dilemma. This vicious circle is common in neurotic lifestyles.

In popular culture

 * In the popular British sitcom Porridge, Mr Barrowclough states in the pilot episode, "Prisoner and Escort", "I got so depressed I thought I'd better go and see the prison psychiatric department, y'know let them have a look at me inferiority complex."
 * In the 1964 film A Hard Day's Night, George Harrison remarks, "You've got an inferiority complex, you have," to which Ringo Starr replies, "Yeah, I know, that's why I play the drums - it's me active compensatory factor."
 * In The Glass Menagerie written by Tennessee Williams, during a conversation between central characters, Jim judges Laura as the victim of an inferiority complex, and advises her to see herself as "superior in some way", relating his own experience and goals for the future - in his case, television. Jim manages to coax Laura out of her shyness.
 * In The Catcher in the Rye written by JD Salinger, Sally Hayes, Holden's friend, mentions that the guys Holden thinks are snobbish and rude have an inferiority complex.
 * In the TV-Sitcom Scrubs: J.D is having a fantasy where his best friend Turk is Batman and he is Robin and he says "Holy Inferiority complex, Batman! How low is my self-esteem that I'm the sidekick in my own fantasy?!". After the imaginary Turk says "It could be worse. You could be Alfred the butler.", J.D. proceeds to imagine himself as Alfred, proving his problem is even worse.
 * In the novel Eragon the character Murtagh is often described as having an inferiority complex.