In Alfred Adler's individual psychology, striving for superiority is the attempt to overcome childhood feelings of inferiority. Adler posited that this striving is the primary motivating force behind all human thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.

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Proposed by Alfred Adler, the inferiority complex describes an individual's persistent feeling of inadequacy and worthlessness when compared to others or societal standards. According to Adler, these feelings, often originating in childhood, are the primary force driving people to strive for superiority, shaping all their thoughts, emotions, and actions.

Inferiority Complex

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

Read the following scenario. From a theoretical perspective that posits a person's primary motivation is to overcome deep-seated feelings of personal deficiency, what is the most likely explanation for the manager's behavior? Explain your reasoning.

Analyzing Motivational Drivers

A major difference between Alfred Adler's and Sigmund Freud's thinking lies in their views on what motivates human behavior. Freud believed that people are motivated by sexual and aggressive urges. In contrast, Adler believed that feelings of inferiority in childhood drive people to attempt to gain superiority, and that this striving is the underlying force behind all thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.

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