Superiority complex from the feminist perspective

Psychologist Alfred Adler first described the superiority complex in his early 20th-century work. He outlined that the superiority complex is really a defence mechanism for feelings of inadequacy that we all struggle with, and this was seen in his individual therapy work.

It is interesting that the original meaning of the superiority/inferiority complex has been seen within individuals as defence mechanisms, which have been disputed, and other approaches since emerged to give weight to the condition. Superiority complex is not a mental health condition and is not recognised by the American Psychiatric Association’s diagnostic manual (the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5)).

In contrast, an edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders that was published about 20 years after Alfred Adler's works disagreed that the superiority complex (under the formal name of grandiose delusion in the DSM IV) came solely from the effects of an inferiority complex (IC). The DSM IV states that a second cause of this delusional disorder stems from an exaggerated emotional state.

Experimental social psychologist, Vera Hoorens, asserts that those exhibiting the superiority complex have a self-image of supremacy. While individuals with an inferiority complex strive to present themselves in the best possible light, those with a superiority complex do not even attempt to make themselves look good or express their superiority to others. They speak as if they are better than others, but ultimately do not care if others think so or not, much like with the cognitive 'bias known as illusory superiority'.

As superiority complex has not been diagnosed as a mental health condition, generally in the West which verify that the fundamentals of ideologies about humans and their role goes back to 20th century and accepted by the patriarchal system even though they have been homophobic, sexist or xenophobic – Alfred Adler's view of homosexuality was contested, and he was seen as homophobic, although his views were altered towards the end of his life.

The superiority complex can also influence the historical colonial attitudes towards others that have not been reflected in the papers published thus far, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Nonetheless, due to the Western description of the condition, the intention to frame it as a local issue had justification back in the 20th century. Thus, it seems necessary to examine what a superiority complex means in an international context. This is appropriate explicitly for the Trump era of our time, when he is showing all the symptoms of the condition at home and abroad.

In short, individuals with a superiority complex often exhibit boastful attitudes towards those around them. Nonetheless, these behaviours are simply a way to hide feelings of failure or inadequacy.

Superiority complex vs inferiority complex

A superiority complex (SC) is an exaggerated sense of self-worth. It hides real feelings of inferiority. A superiority complex is a behaviour that suggests a person believes they’re somehow superior to others. While not an official diagnosis given to it, symptoms of it can occur with some conditions, like low self-esteem, ADHD and childhood traumas.

An inferiority complex (IC) is an exaggerated sense of inadequacy, both about oneself and in comparison to others. It often conceals true motivations, like a wish for control over one's life or the ability to succeed. Inferiority can also hinder one's self-worth by placing greater value on others than on oneself. In the context of unequal gender structure in any society, women suffer from an inferiority complex, which perpetuates the male dominance and maintains the patriarchal system. What is different here is that the psychological process of becoming is shaped by cultural values and the systemic model of formation. Thus, the intentional formation of personalities leads men to develop SC and women to develop IC. Those personalities are created by the patriarchal system in the same way it impacts colonial power over less fortunate countries in the world.

In Adler’s theory of individual psychology, a superiority complex and an inferiority complex are tied together. He held that a person who acted superior to others and had others as less worthy was actually hiding a feeling of inferiority. Likewise, the type of personalities in positions of power invade other countries by force to cover their domestic inadequacies and gain public approval, which they use to secure votes in the general election. These personalities have a significant influence on culture at large and on international relationships, as we have taken them for granted after years of masculine patriarchal systems.

The politics of superiority complex in the 21st century

A SC can be seen as an individual harbouring a belief in Supremacism, which is the notion that a particular group of people is superior to, and should hold authority over, all others. Any group that identifies itself as a superior group can be characterised by age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, language, social class, ideology, nationality, culture, generation, or any other human characteristic. From the perspective of feminism, it illustrates precisely how the masculine patriarchal system functions. The nature of the patriarchal system relies on claiming power over others and is divided into classes, namely the ruling class, middle class, and working class, as class division is the backbone of capitalism. This means that gender superiority is symptomatic of an internal inadequacy to confront male failures or shortcomings. This can be extended to autocratic conservative systems to regard any other minorities as second-class citizens, or simply to deny their equal existence in any given society. Can we form a connection between the original superiority complex and the current political climate of gender apartheid in some countries, ethnic cleansing in others, and the persecution and discrimination of women and minority groups in the US? Is what we are experiencing at this minute a result of the male superiority complex and its drastic consequences?

The context of Western individual psychology is based on the idea that we are all striving to overcome a sense of inadequacy or inferiority, or becoming the best version of ourselves can lead us to master skills and create a meaningful life of belonging and success. It also proves that whilst we are striving to overcome inadequacies, we are causing death and distraction by virtue of our position in the world as a Western nation. Feminism should reject the historically ingrained patriarchal worldview regarding humans and their relationships within both local and global communities. This includes psychological frameworks based on male interpretations of human beings and their psychic functions. The evidence of human pain and suffering clearly originates from male inadequacies.

In our post-MeToo society, feminism remains an indispensable force for change, as total equality has yet to be achieved. It is essential for women to unlearn the low self-worth and inferiority complex they have been conditioned to develop over the years of misjudgment by men and negative media portrayals.

According to a BBC study in September 2023, the sexual abuse of female surgeons in the NHS concluded that a shocking number of men with a superiority complex believe they can mistreat women and get away with it, without consequences. Some people argued that female doctors needed to “toughen up” in a letter responding to research that found a third of female surgeons had been sexually assaulted by colleagues in the previous five years. This was called a “snowflake generation” of young doctors who “should toughen up.” Studies have shown again and again that it would simply be naive to assume the opinion that all the battles for women’s rights have been won in the West when women are still being objectified in the workplace and suffer from high levels of inferiority complex.

Women in the UK in general have been granted the right to vote equally to men since 1928, yet many still face perceptions of inferiority in their own homes. This is demonstrated by the societal expectation that a woman will take her husband’s name and undertake the household chores. Most women perceive this expectation as normal due to the negative portrayal of their roles and responsibilities by the mainstream media, which naturally fosters an inferiority complex in the culture at large.

Women in the UK also have the same access to education as men do, but the same can't be said for women in Taliban-run Afghanistan. Again, women in Britain are fortunate enough to have access to legal abortion, but this is not the case for millions of women in a variety of countries in the world. The conduct of the Trump administration last year has also meant that not all women in the United States have been afforded the right to make decisions about their own bodies. For feminism, women anywhere can't be equal until women everywhere are.