inferiority complex
Persistent unworthiness feeling
An inferiority complex is a persistent feeling of inadequacy or self-doubt, often compensated for by aggressive behavior or excessive ambition.
The term comes from psychoanalysis but now appears loosely for any deep-seated insecurity: He has an inferiority complex about not finishing college.
The phrase often implies the feeling is irrational or exaggerated relative to actual shortcomings.
Lack of any value
- self-doubtUncertainty about oneself
- insufficiencyShortfall in amount needed
- deficiencyLack of something needed
- incompetenceLack of required skill
ineptitude · unworthiness · insignificance · self-deprecation · helplessness · powerlessness · incapability · impotence
Treatment via unconscious exploration
- compensationPayment for services rendered
- overcompensationExcessive counterbalancing reaction
- defense mechanismUnconscious self-protective mental process
- narcissismExcessive admiration of oneself
ego · self-esteem · cognitive distortion · inner critic · childhood · trauma · parenting · bullying
Resentful longing for another's
- jealousyResentful desire for another's advantages
- resentmentPersistent bitter displeasure
- overshadowedSurpassed and diminished
- outclassedBeaten by superior competition
outperformed · surpassed · eclipsed · second-rate · lesser · subordinate · underdog · rivalry
Openness to harm
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- self-consciousnessUncomfortable awareness of oneself
- timidityFearful lack of courage
- shynessTendency toward social timidity
inhibition · unease · apprehension · fearfulness · sensitivity · neuroticism · defensiveness · approval-seeking
worthlessness
Lack of any value
- self-doubtUncertainty about oneself
- insufficiencyShortfall in amount needed
- deficiencyLack of something needed
incompetence · ineptitude · unworthiness · insignificance · self-deprecation · helplessness · powerlessness · incapability · impotence · failure
psychoanalysis
Treatment via unconscious exploration
- compensationPayment for services rendered
- overcompensationExcessive counterbalancing reaction
- defense mechanismUnconscious self-protective mental process
narcissism · ego · self-esteem · cognitive distortion · inner critic · childhood · trauma · parenting · bullying · therapy
envy
Resentful longing for another's
- jealousyResentful desire for another's advantages
- resentmentPersistent bitter displeasure
- overshadowedSurpassed and diminished
outclassed · outperformed · surpassed · eclipsed · second-rate · lesser · subordinate · underdog · rivalry · sibling rivalry
vulnerability
Openness to harm
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- self-consciousnessUncomfortable awareness of oneself
- timidityFearful lack of courage
shyness · inhibition · unease · apprehension · fearfulness · sensitivity · neuroticism · defensiveness · approval-seeking · people-pleasing
- complexes
- insecuritiesinsecurity, self-doubt, low self-esteem, inadequacy, self-consciousness
- psychoanalysisFreud, id, ego, unconscious, Sigmund Freud
- psychological phrasesinner child, defense mechanism, cognitive dissonance, id, ego
- status anxietystatus anxiety, social comparison, comparison, envy, keeping up with the Joneses
- Adlerian psychologybirth order, lifestyle, encouragement, discouragement, overcompensation
inferiority complexsuperiority complex
Delusion of being better
narcissism · grandiosity · megalomania · delusions of grandeur · overconfidence
inferiority complexself-confidence
Faith in one's capabilities
self-assurance · self-acceptance · self-worth · emotional security · groundedness
complex, inferior, superiority, superiors, complexes, inferiority, inferiors, complexed, superiorly