Indicators of Inferiority Attitudes
There are six common ways to recognize feelings of inadequacy in everyday life. Up to a point, they can be counteracted.
One common indicator of inferiority is a marked sensitivity to direct or implied criticism. A student may devote much effort to prove that his solution to a problem is correct. On the other hand, he may more profitably search for a better method of attack. If a better method is found, reinforcement sets in to help offset the attimde of "I can't do it."
A second indicator of the inferiority attitude is reference of all criticism to oneself. A whispered comment or chance laughter by others, which may actually have no relationship to the anxious person, may cause him to feel that he is being attacked. Seclusiveness is a third indicator of an inferiority attitude. In the extreme instance, the individual will cross to the other side of the street to avoid meeting people. He will not join with students gatheril:g in the hall. He feels that he is not wanted. A note of caution, however, is needed here. The fact that a person does not chat in the hallway is not in itself an indication of feelings of inferiority. There may simply be more important things to do.
Fourth, the person with feelings of inferiority characteristically overresponds to flattery. This seems to help him improve his own eelings of adequacy. Anyone who supports his ego will be given a· elcome reception. But agam, let us point out the need to draw a line etween ovcrresponse a,nd liking to hear good things about ourselves. A teacher's appreciation of a favorable comment about himself may be in no way related to inferiority. The chances are that such appreciation is normal in the educational climate since, in general, the professor gets mostly negative feedback from students. Those who do poo'rly drop the word that he is a poor teacher. Those who do well, and who honestly think he is an excellent teacher, rarely if ever tell him so. Hence, it is only human nature that he may respond with good feelings to indirect flattery.
A fifth indicator of inferiority feelings is a poor reaction to competition. The person is not a good loser. Every contest he enters, whether a game of skill or an attempt to impress a friend, is played most seriously. He prefers, however, to compare his skill with that of someone he can defeat. He likes obscure games in which he has a high degree of competence; he avoids more conventional situations in which w~nning is somewhat a matter of chance.
Sixth, a tendency to depreciate others indicates an attitude of inferiority. Pointing out the faults of others not only helps to minimize 'TIe's own defects, but also involves some projection. When we feel inferior, we want, perhaps unconsciously, to know that we have ompany.
