9 Signs You Have a Superiority Complex

Arzu Dokuzoğlu

Arzu Dokuzoğlu

İTÜ-Kimya Müh.

Many people have a superiority complex but don’t realize it. The superiority complex is the name given to the state of feeling better, smarter, and more important than others. Alfred Adler , known as the father of individual psychology, described this feeling.
Alfred Adler believed that the superiority complex was actually a way of denying the individual’s feelings of inferiority. They can be thought of as different sides of the same coin, being superior actually hiding the feeling of inferiority.
Here are the signs that show that superiority complex:

1) egocentric thinking

People with a superiority complex think about everything from their own perspective. When it comes to discussing events, situations or relationships, they focus on themselves first. We can define this situation with the concept of “self-centered thinking” .
These individuals always try to do better than others. When they hear about someone’s success, they try to be better than them and they want to see themselves under the spotlight. When you see someone like that, you realize, it’s more common than you think.




2) Challenge the necessary authority

People with superiority complex defy authority. They think they are above the law and believe they can do whatever they want. Others think that when they do wrong things, they will never be caught. They also keep themselves private in their friendships, family, and relationships.


3) Lack of empathy

Empathy is an emotion that people with superiority complex do not have. They do not care about others and do not try to understand the feelings of others. A lack of empathy creates cold individuals who feel clearly better than other people around them.
Their feelings and concerns are the only things that matter to them and that is why they always think they are ahead of others.




4) mood change

Considering that superiority is sometimes a cover-up of feelings of inferiority, the clash and clash of these feelings with each other remains in mind. This struggle creates a huge mood swing. They suddenly feel they are better than others, and suddenly they think they are worse than others. These mood swings can cause depression.


5) Don’t think you have the right to everything

The sense of entitlement is a difficult emotion to define in adults. This is because it dates back to a complicated childhood. For example, a grandmother might give her grandchild all the material things she wants, but still not be able to give her the emotional and mental upbringing she needs.
Therefore, the child will grow up feeling entitled to whatever he or she wants. He was not taught moral values, but was given everything he wanted. Can you see how this can result in a spoiled child with a lack of responsibility?




6) To compare

When a person suffers from being too superior, they often compare themselves to others. When others are more successful, he feels defeated. And of course, that means they have to do something to change this situation.
For example, when they realize that they are successful at something, a sport or a hobby, they do the same thing over and over. If you say they’re doing it for attention, they’ll deny it and say they’re just doing it because it feels good. But usually, you can tell the difference.


7) Manipulation

Being able to manipulate is a common advantage for those who feel superior. They can use anger and threats to get what they want.
It can be used in conjunction with manipulation, narcissism, and unhealthy relationship issues. The worst areas of manipulation are when they use guilt to make you feel bad.




8) Condescending behaviors

An unhealthy sense of superiority may be the cause of the behavior of those around you. For example, they use complex words that they think the other person will not understand, assuming they are smarter in conversations. They gossip about people they consider inferior and may refuse to associate with certain people – such as low-income individuals.


9) Controlled behaviors

Often times, people with superiority complex want to be in control. Getting out of control in any situation is uncomfortable and sometimes even devastating. If they lose control, they think they have lost their superiority.
Overcoming the superiority complex is not easy, but possible because it is often a balancing act. If you feel any of these characteristics, stop and ask why. And try to reduce them as much as possible.
Likewise, when you know someone with this complex, you can tell them what they are doing and offer help and support. Take some time and try to understand these points. Thus, you can benefit and help your friends, family and loved ones.

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Kategoriler: Self-Improvement

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