Inferiority Complex

Value
Common, Strong: 15 Points • Common, Total: 20 Points
Description
A character who suffers from an Inferiority Complex feels that he is inferior to other people in some way. While sometimes caused by an actual inferiority (such as being one of the rare illiterates in an otherwise highly educated population, or having some physical disability that prevents the character from being "normal"), quite often the character's feelings of inferiority arise from an imagined deficiency that simply does not actually exist, or that is only perceived to be an inferiority from the point of view of a Social Prejudice.
Because of these feelings, the character believes that nothing they do is as worthwhile or as noticeable as the actions of another person. They may otherwise have a good view of themselves, but feel that when compared to others they simply don't measure up. The character simply will not understand why other people think highly of them (but will rarely discourage compliments... they like hearing them even if they don't believe them.
The character's feelings of inferiority are often unconscious, and drive the character to overcompensate through attempts at overachievement and grandiose plans, statements, and actions. Unlike normal feelings of inferiority, which can often act as an incentive to improve oneself (or, just as likewise, to act as an incentive to Apathy), an Inferiority Complex usually drives a person to go to far in "convincing" others that he isn't inferior at all.
See Also
Feels Any Criticism He Receives Is True, Napoleon Complex, Narcissism, Overachiever, Superiority Complex
Category:Complications
Category:Psychological Complications
Category:Psychological Complications I - J
Category:Fears
Category:Self-Esteem Issues