INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCE RESEARCH
IN MULTIDISCIPLINARY

This paper re-examines Alfred Adler’s classical concept of the inferiority complex and its relationship to striving for superiority and social interest within modern psychosocial environments. Drawing upon empirical and theoretical literature from 2005 to 2024, the study explores how inferiority functions as a motivational force rather than merely a pathological construct. Using conceptual synthesis from contemporary studies, the research highlights how moderate levels of inferiority promote resilience, self-efficacy, and academic achievement, while extreme inferiority results in withdrawal and anxiety. Furthermore, social interest-Adler’s term for community feeling and empathy-emerges as a crucial moderator that converts personal striving into socially useful behavior. Conceptual tables summarize empirical and thematic findings linking inferiority, striving, and well-being. The discussion integrates Adlerian psychology with modern theories of motivation and self-concept, concluding that inferiority remains a pivotal catalyst for psychological growth in the 21st century.