The Feeling of Inferiority and the Striving for Recognition

Adler, Alfred

doi:10.1177/003591572702001246

Cited by 4 publications

(18 citation statements)

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“…The final conceptual treatment of compensation to be discussed is also the oldest: Adler's conception of compensation as a fundamental law of life and the most important defense mechanism (e.g., Adler, 1920Adler, /1927Adler, , 1930Adler, , 1935Adler, , 1958Adler, , 1964. In his earlier writings, Adler described the process of compensation in organic terms: A person with an innate or acquired organic deficit was assumed to compensate through growth of some organ that could serve as a substitute completely or in part.…”

Section: Compensation In Adler's Theory Of Personalitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Adler's conceptualization of compensation provides a broad framework within which various types of compensatory behaviors prompted by biological or psychological shortcomings can be analyzed. The distinction between automatic and deliberate compensation is implied, the distinction between objective and perceived deficits is made explicit, and a psychological origin of compensation-feelings of inferiority-is suggested (e.g., Adler, 1958). In addition, Adler's view is unique in that it stresses that compensatory behaviors in themselves can be negative.…”

Section: Compensation In Adler's Theory Of Personalitymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Psychological compensation: A theoretical framework.

Bäckman

Dixon²

1992

Psychological Bulletin

353

217

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The 2 main objectives of this article are to review a variety of literatures in which the concept of compensation is used and to integrate the results of this review into a general framework of compensation. The review focuses on 4 domains of psychological inquiry: compensation for sensory handicaps, cognitive deficits, interpersonal losses, and brain injury. In the proposed framework, underlying dimensions and 4 basic steps in the progression of compensatory behavior are distinguished. The latter include origins, mechanisms, forms, and consequences. Finally, we describe ways in which researchers in particular domains can benefit from the global, process-oriented framework we propose. For most of the areas of compensation research reviewed, investigators can profit from a consideration of a broader selection of dimensions, additional steps in the process, alternative outcomes, and both objective and subjective assessment procedures.

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Section: Compensation In Adler's Theory Of Personalitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Compensation In Adler's Theory Of Personalitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychological compensation: A theoretical framework.

Bäckman

Dixon²

1992

Psychological Bulletin

353

217

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“…The two large‐group identities are questioned and regress back to the past where both countries confirm and reinforce their identity. Both feel inferior, but Bulgaria regresses to its ‘three seas’ past because it strives for power that brings the “ sentiment of superiority ” (Adler & Wolfe, 1927, p. 1881). This directs what the group shall remember from the past (or what it shall regress to) in order to bring back the historical Bulgarian greatness.…”

Section: The Current Sense Of Inferioritymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Following on from this, the Adlerian concept of inferiority complex can be applied to groups like Bulgaria and particularly providing an alternative explanation for their regressive behavior and potentially other defenses that relate to groups' struggles. These struggles as Adler points out can come from feelings of “ weakness and helplessness ” (Adler & Wolfe, 1927, p. 1881). People may be “ conscious ” of this inability and as a result feel “ small ,” “ insecure ” and “ incapable ” (Adler & Wolfe, 1927, p. 1882).…”

Section: National Identity and Inferiority Of Groupsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“Bulgaria on three seas!”: An example of regression as a defense mechanism experienced by a large‐group in a response to its national inferiority complex

Nikolova

2023

Appl Psychoanal Studies

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Abstract“Bulgaria on three seas” is a commonly used phrase in Bulgaria. It is used on national celebration days, around government election days, in populist campaigns, on TV shows, on social media, at folkloric concerts and gatherings and in simple everyday conversations. The phrase signifies a specific golden century of Bulgarian history characterized by the fact that Bulgaria reaches the Black, White and Adriatic seas. Today, the phrase is regularly used by Bulgarians when they talk about their country. This glorious time is also used as part of the political and public rhetoric where ideology has nationalistic character. It is present during political public debates about the country's reactions to both its past and its future. The phrase “Bulgaria on three seas” lifts the national spirit during moments of struggle. And all that raises questions about why Bulgarians constantly refer to this part of their history and what this regressive behavior demonstrates. This article aims to provide a psychological explanation, combining the concepts of regression (going back to the past), denial of the present and national inferiority complex (perceived helplessness and weakness) in order to analyze how a nation could respond to its own feelings of national group inferiority. It explains how regression is a response to one's own feelings of inferiority and it contributes to the studies of large‐group psychology established by Vamik Volkan by offering an alternative explanation. The work demonstrates that regression is the Bulgarian way of dealing with its own inferiority complexes when in denial about what is happening in the present. This takes place when group identity (or an aspect of it) is questioned. The article also provides a pathway to further exploration of how other nations deal with similar experiences.

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“…Scapegoating means that the individual projects his aversive thoughts and feelings onto other, preferably weaker, individuals. These thoughts and feelings have been described as guilt and anxiety (Freud, 1923(Freud, /1990Neumann, 1964), as shadows (Jung, 1968(Jung, /1950Perera, 1986), or as experiences of incompetence and inferiority (Adler, 1927). Scapegoating frees the individual from these aversive experiences and allows the individual to idealize himself in a haughty or presumptuous manner (Mitscherlich & Mitscherlich, 1967).…”

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confidence: 99%

Do Normative Transgressions Affect Punitive Judgments? An Empirical Test of the Psychoanalytic Scapegoat Hypothesis

Gollwitzer

2004

Pers Soc Psychol Bull

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According to psychoanalytic theory, punitiveness is based on a projection of one's own immoral desires and the moral conflict they cause (scapegoat hypothesis). This hypothesis implies that transgressors impose harsher punishment onto comparable wrongdoers. This effect should be amplified by strength of decision conflict. An alternative hypothesis based on blameavoidance motivation is derived. Participants (N = 291) were asked to indicate whether they would commit an unlawful act in a moral temptation situation and how conflicted they felt in making their decision. Later, they had to judge convicts in criminal cases that were similar to the previous temptation situations. Authoritarianism was assessed as covariate. In contrast to the scapegoat but consistent with the blame-avoidance interpretation, transgressors were more lenient than nontransgressors. Authoritarianism had main effects on punitiveness. Decision conflict was neither directly nor indirectly related to punitiveness. The findings challenge the validity of the scapegoat hypothesis.

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The Feeling of Inferiority and the Striving for Recognition

Cited by 4 publications

References 0 publications

Psychological compensation: A theoretical framework.

Psychological compensation: A theoretical framework.

“Bulgaria on three seas!”: An example of regression as a defense mechanism experienced by a large‐group in a response to its national inferiority complex

Do Normative Transgressions Affect Punitive Judgments? An Empirical Test of the Psychoanalytic Scapegoat Hypothesis

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