Final answer:
Alfred Adler's concept of the superiority complex is a defensive overcompensation for an inferiority complex, where individuals may display exaggerated self-importance to protect against feelings of inferiority.
Step-by-step explanation:
Adler's perspective on the superiority complex relates to his wider theory of individual psychology. While he is well-known for introducing the inferiority complex, which describes feelings of inadequacy and the belief that one does not measure up to societal or others' standards, Adler also described the superiority complex as a sort of defensive overcompensation for these inferior feelings. Individuals with a superiority complex may carry an exaggerated sense of their own importance and disdain for others as a means to protect themselves from their underlying feelings of inferiority. Unlike Sigmund Freud, who focused on sexual and aggressive drives, Adler emphasized social aspects of personality, believing the pursuit of superiority was a fundamental driving force in human behavior and that achieving cooperation was key to personal and societal fulfillment. Adler also noted that this pursuit could manifest in different ways based on one's social experiences, such as the dynamics experienced through birth order in a family. From Adler's point of view, the striving for superiority is a natural part of human development, but it can become problematic when it leads to an exaggerated sense of personal superiority or when it impedes social cooperation. He advocated for recognizing the equality of others and working towards the common good, integrating the ideals of social interest with individual striving.