Why do some human beings feel the need to feel superior to others?

Answer 1

Usually this need to feel "superior" is deeply rooted in low personal or societal self esteem. Any time an individual needs to feel better than others it is because deep down there is a feeling of inadequency. This feeling of inadequency is highly uncomfortable, so the person will try to find way to be more comfortable. This is usaully an unconscience behavior. By finding those who they can feel superior over the uncomfortable feeling is temporarily alleviated. This temporary releaf lasts a short period, creating a cycle of needing new targets to place beneath them to continue the releaf of feeling inadequet. It is really sad and creates a great deal of dysfunction for those who behave in this manner and for those around them. The real fix is to raise feelings of adaquency at the core of the soul. This takes an honest viewing of who they really are and why they are behaving as they are. This takes a great deal of courage, to look inside and take an honest inventory of self. As the person already is struggling with inadequency it is highly unlikely the person will have that inner streangth required for that honest self evaluation. It takes lowering all self defense behaviors learned over a life time and these defenses can be extreamy deep rooted. When dealing with deeply rooted behaviors it takes a long period of time to be able to take that honest look inside. The very fact that the person first needs to acknowlege a problem in order to even begin such a process basically comfirmes that it will not be done. These defensive barriers are very strong indeed. We are constantly erecting devensive behaviors to protect our core self. when an injury to self esteem occures, the inner self will take action to protect itself from further harm. Usually these actions create dysfunctional behaviors which are then utilized as protection from harm. However, as these behaviors are dysfunctional they do not really serve the person in a healthy manner which creates further dysfunction. As this cycle continues the damage increases further intensifying needs of finding ways to construct ways to protect the inner core of the person. If the person never finds the abiltity to take an honest inventory of how these defensive behaviors are harming them, they will never be able to take corrective action and learn healthy ways of handling personal bounderies and increase self worth without using these dysfunctional defensive behaviors. It is very difficult to relearn coping mechinisiams and protective behaviors. Once on the path of change the struggle to relearn and establish healthy patterns of behavior can take many years if not a lifetime. I do not expect change to occure over night, but small changes can make a huge difference right away.

These types of dysfunctional self defensive behaviors have a very detrimental affect on the persons life, both private and public. They will often not understand why relationships do not work out, why friends no longer wish to be friends, why employers ask them to leave. Dysfunctional self defensive behaviors are also passed on to children of adults who have not learned functional behavioral patterns. So, the cycle repeats itself. As humans we are all prone to one degree or another of dysfunctional behaviors. We are suppose to learn from mistakes and learn what works and what does not work. As we find what works we grow as individuals. However, and sadly, untill a person is willing to do the painful self inventory of behavior and learned habits he/she will remain stuck at the level they are at and little or no growth is obtained. They just continue to make the same mistakes not understanding why life is not what they had expected. They are locked into behaviors which lead to self destruction, lowers self esteem further, and viciously rebounds with poor personal life results again and agian.

Try to understand that these individuals are injured, hurt, have deep wounds in their souls. Most really do not understand how this behavior strongly affects their personal life and has little or no direct affect on those they need to feel superior to. For those who have a developed a strong sense of self, know who they are and what they have to offer are not affected by those who look down on them. Those who have these strong healthy self esteems do not allow what others choose to think of them affect them much if at all. It is sad to see these folks harming themselves and their families with the attitudes which are so dysfunctional.

Answer 2

I think it's in everyone to want to be the best in some sort of way. Financially, romatically, talent-wise, etc...
There is something in us that makes us strive to be better ,and in most cases, the best we can be. However some people are just really insecure and desperately need to feel that being superior to everyone else in the only way they can be truely happy or sucessful.

Answer 3

I would think it's because they do not want change to occur.They would only exert their superiority if you show a hint of you being more powerful than them.This will force them to get out of their comfort zone and confront you to ensure their survival.

Change is very costly to an individual.You've got to change your whole belief system if someone better comes around unless you can coax yourself to belief that you are fine the way you are.

Answer 4

Insecure people need to put others down, and feel superior to them, to temporarily feel better about themselves.

Those with healthy level of self-esteem feel uplifted by being around people they have something to learn from.

Answer 5

Because deep down, all humans have a certain inferiority complex. By trying to one-up each other, we feel better about ourselves.

Answer 6

It's to cover the fact that deep down, they actually feel inferior to others or to somebody specifically.

Answer 7

because those who try to be more superior, are actually inferior and try to change. just be yourself, if your a natural born leader and better at things than others, that is who you are. and they are inferior.

Answer 8

well sometimes people need reassurance about themselves