Superiority Complex

Definition

A superiority complex is an attitude displaying exaggerated feelings of being superior than others. It may be a reaction formed from underlying feelings of inadequacy (inferiority complex).

Analogy

Imagine you're in a race and you believe you're the fastest runner, even though you've never actually raced anyone before. You strut around, boasting about your speed. That's like a superiority complex - believing you're better than everyone else without any real evidence.

Related terms

Narcissism: Excessive self-love or self-centeredness.

Ego: The part of the mind that mediates between the conscious and unconscious and is responsible for reality testing and a sense of personal identity.

Defense Mechanisms: Unconscious psychological strategies brought into play by various entities to cope with reality and to maintain self-image.