He categorized his birth order theory into four categories; first-born, second-born, youngest, and only child (Schultz & Schultz, …show more content…
Because of his rickets from a young age, he felt inferior to his brother because his brother was able to be active. Inferiority is defined by Adler as the normal condition of all people; the source of all human striving. He felt that it was what motivated us to reshape what we felt like were imperfections. (Schultz & Schultz, 2013) This is called the Inferiority Complex by Adler. To combat any inferiorities a person felt, they would have a Superiority Complex, which is just someone over compensating for feelings of inferiority (i.e. little man’s syndrome). Although, being physically impaired from childhood is not the only way to develop an inferiority complex. (Schultz & Schultz, 2013) Adler believed that being spoiled from birth is one way that parents can help their child develop an inferiority complex. See if they spoil their child from birth, then the child will be used to being the center of attention at all times and therefore when they aren’t the center of attention they will experience shock and will be totally unprepared. The reverse may happen with children who are neglected and rejected by their parents, they will grow up with “feelings of worthlessness, or even anger, and view others with distrust.” (Schultz & Schultz, 2013) If a person has an inferiority complex, they may develop what we know as a superiority complex where they