Superiority Complex Defined: 5 Signs of a Superiority Complex

A superiority complex is a psychological condition in which a person consciously or subconsciously believes they are better than everyone with whom they come into contact. If you have a superiority complex, you have a high likelihood of alienating others, setting unrealistic expectations for yourself, and doing damage to your mental health.

Early twentieth-century psychologist Alfred Adler first developed the idea of a superiority complex as part of his efforts to elucidate a generalized theory of individual psychology.

There’s a fine line between healthy self-esteem and corrosive self-aggrandizement. Here are signs you or someone you know might be dealing with a superiority complex:

1. 1. A constant need for validation: People with superiority complexes believe their friends and coworkers should recognize how incredible they are at all times. Some psychologists believe this need for validation displays how feelings of inadequacy fuel superiority complexes.
2. 2. A dismissive attitude toward others: At the same time people with superiority complexes seek out validation, they also treat others with a sense of disregard. After all, they see others as lesser than themselves. This is part and parcel with the broader sense of entitlement central to the complex as a whole.
3. 3. An inflated sense of self-importance: Perhaps the defining personality trait of a superiority complex is possessing an exaggerated opinion of oneself. For instance, someone of this ilk might embellish the nature and extent of their accomplishments or be incapable of understanding how someone doesn’t respect them.
4. 4. A penchant for bragging: People with this complex engage in social comparison. They feel the need to brag to remind others of how much better they are. While narcissists might engage in similar behavior patterns, they often put their innate likability first—perhaps even feigning humility to gain trust and respect. By contrast, those with superiority complexes will always put their own egos first no matter what.
5. 5. A propensity for mood swings: When someone doesn’t validate a person with a superiority complex, the former can cause the latter to become angry or depressed. This is just one reason this type of complex is bad for someone’s mental health and wellness. It props up one’s psyche on a very fragile and tenuous conception of self.

There are two primary theories for why people develop superiority complexes. The first is that people develop feelings of superiority as a defense mechanism for their true feelings of inferiority. In other words, their boastfulness and arrogance are signs of overcompensation.

The second theory is more straightforward—people with superiority complexes believe they’re as great as they say they are. In this case, it might be that too much positive reinforcement at a young age led to an inflated sense of self.

A superiority complex is a belief one is superior to others; an inferiority complex is a belief one is inferior to others. In the view of some psychologists, the definition of superiority complexes overlaps with the definition of inferiority complexes. For instance, psychologist Alfred Adler believed feelings of superiority might arise from a person overcompensating for sublimated feelings of inferiority. Others draw a clearer distinction between both complexes.

People with superiority complexes and people with narcissistic personality disorder share quite a lot in common. They put their needs above others, have overblown views of themselves, and exist in a moody state of entitlement and arrogance.

The primary difference lies in interpersonal behavior. People with superiority complexes couldn’t care less about what other people think of them—if people don’t like them, that’s just proof they’re fools. By contrast, narcissists will adapt their personalities and manipulate people to earn trust and affection.

It’s possible to overcome a superiority complex. Here are just a few ways you can arrive at a healthier and more realistic self-image:

• Address underlying insecurities. It’s possible your feelings of superiority come from a sense of low self-esteem. Ask yourself why you believe you’re better than other people, as well as why you feel the need to persuade them you are. This sort of self-examination can help you get to the root cause of your issues.
• Redefine how you see personal success. Suppose you recognize your superiority complex comes from a sense of inferiority. Often feelings of inferiority arise from lofty and unattainable standards. When you reevaluate how you see success, you can develop a more laid-back and easygoing persona in response.
• Reevaluate what self-esteem is. Trading in your superiority complex for a healthy sense of high self-esteem can prove helpful in more ways than one. Developing true self-esteem means evaluating your strengths and weaknesses, as well as recognizing the value of others. When you prioritize this over reasserting your dominance and superiority, you’ll end up becoming more confident as a result.
• Seek out psychotherapy. If you notice people alienating you or feel disappointed at how others refuse to recognize your greatness, seek out counsel from a trained psychotherapist. They can help you explore your feelings and behaviors, although you might wind up seeing your entire life differently as a result.

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