Re:Inferiority linked to aggression.

I am by no means an expert on this subject, but the psychology of Adler links many mistaken directions in life to "the inferiority feeling". We do not see a "causal relationship", but rather a set of choices arising from the childhood inferiority feeling in the direction of a "fictional goal of perceived superiority". The notion seems quite simple. A child deems himself to be inferior in a given task set before him. Should he lack courage and encouragement, he may attempt a series of compensatory experiments away from this "dreaded feeling" and will probably find some movements that from the perspective of his discouragement seem to "work". Now a solution that moves away from the inferiority feeling but is a benefit to the community and mankind is a good movement and useful. A movement against mankind and the community interest is a "bad movement" in the sense that it is not useful. Thus a child who feels belittled or feels small and helpless may compensate by being a bully or it may be the very opposite and the child may become a total coward and seek safety all the time in others. In a discouraged person, the movements will only occur in these antithetical directions. So, yes indeed, an inferiorty feeling regarding one's physical or emotional strength may indeed lead to an aggressive compensation and it may be quite extreme. It may appear in "socially acceptable" ways as in being a very rich capitalist who cares only for others if they should admire him when he uses money to gain an advantage even by charitable giving, or he may choose to be a criminal or a bully. Always underlying this is the compensation for the perceived inferiority WHICH IS THE CONCLUSION OF A CHILD carried forward into adult life as a motif with only slight variations on a consistent theme that we as Adlerians refer to as "the life style", the unique law of movement of a discouraged person who does not see himself as an equal person in the community of mankind. This answer may seem simplistic save that every human makes this compensation according to their own life plan so the digging out of this life style is a challenging task. I do feel that such pathological aggression may arise from the inferiority feeling, but then again, that does not say that all aggression is a compensation. A research scientist who relentlessly and aggressively pursues a cure for cancer is not pathological because the measure of mental health is twofold. One, the social interest or benefit of the striving for the community and two, the degree and range of activity.
Thank you for a very stimulating question. Should you wish more fleshing out of my response please request the same. I try to watch the server at least two or three times a week. I also would be most interested to hear responses from other Adlerians more knowledgeable than myself.

Replies:

Re:Inferiority linked to aggression., by Michelle, 05/13/04 Re:Inferiority linked to aggression., by George Neeson, 05/13/04

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