inferiority complex

Học thuật
Thân thiện
Definition

Noun: A psychological state or persistent feeling of being less valuable, capable, or worthy than others. This feeling often stems from a deep-seated conflict between a person's desire for recognition and their fear of failure or humiliation.

Usage

This term is used to describe a chronic condition of low self-esteem that significantly influences a person's thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It is a clinical and psychological concept.

Examples
  • His constant need to boast about his achievements might be a symptom of an inferiority complex.
  • She struggled with an inferiority complex for years, always feeling she wasn't as intelligent as her peers.
  • The therapist helped him address the root causes of his inferiority complex.
Advanced Usage
  • To have an inferiority complex about something: This phrase specifies the area of life in which the feeling is strongest.
    • He has a real inferiority complex about his educational background.
  • The concept is often contrasted with a "superiority complex," where arrogant or domineering behavior is seen as an overcompensation for underlying feelings of inferiority.
Variants and Related Words
  • Inferiority (noun): The state of being lower in rank, status, or quality. This is the general feeling, while an "inferiority complex" is the entrenched psychological condition.
    • A feeling of inferiority haunted him.
  • Superiority complex (noun): An attitude of superiority which conceals actual feelings of inferiority.
Synonyms
  • Low self-esteem
  • Lack of self-confidence
  • Self-doubt
  • Feelings of inadequacy
Antonyms
  • Superiority complex
  • Self-assurance
  • Confidence
  • High self-esteem
Related Idioms/Phrases
  • To have a chip on one's shoulder: To be habitually angry or resentful as a result of feeling unfairly treated, which can be related to feelings of inferiority.
    • He's had a chip on his shoulder since he was passed over for promotion.
Noun
  1. a sense of personal inferiority arising from conflict between the desire to be noticed and the fear of being humiliated