Since early in his childhood, Martin has been faced with frequent feelings of inferiority.

In terms of
Adler’s individual psychology, which emphasizes ones ‘niche’ in the social world, Martin initially had
none. With his family’s financial hardship and tendency to be looked down upon because of ethnic
discrimination, Martin was taught that he and his family had little place in the world. They were not only
inferior because of their income, but because of their minority status. Inferior would be an excellent way
to describe life at first for Martin. However, one instance appeared to have influenced Martin’s outlook
tremendously; he was the sole cause in keeping an innocent child from being subjected to punishment.
This was perhaps the first time in his life when Martin experienced true success in childhood. He learned
that, despite his families shortcomings, he was able to save an innocent person. This incident was most
likely a strong driving force in his desire to become a criminal defense lawyer.

                As Martin grew, he discovered that he was an exceptional student, both in his high school and
college years. Martin was readily complimented and admired for his academic progress, which would
eventually provide him with the life he had always wanted. Despite this, his feelings of inferiority never
left him. Initially tied down by the heavy burden of an inferiority complex (which also stemmed from his
emotionally absent and neglectful parents), Martin later developed a strong superiority complex.

                I believe that Martin’s superiority complex developed after he experienced his first tastes of
success. After years of being overlooked and underprivileged, Martin developed the sense that he was not
only superior to others and superior in his field, but that he was so excellent at what he did; that he should
flaunt his success (consider the amount of cars, homes, and clothing that he has, and consider the fact
that he does not give back to society) and never ‘take less than what he deserves.’ I sense that Martin now
feels as though he is too important and too wanted to help others without financial rewards, which further
add to his perceived brilliance. However, as we know, a superiority complex merely covers up the
inferiority complex. At the end of the day, Martin is unable to trust others or relate to them. His recent
sense of importance has ballooned into arrogance; Martin fears the ‘nobody’ that he used to be.

                Adler’s discussion on birth order is highly applicable to Martin. As the first child, Martin was
meant to be the sole focus of his parents. However, this was not the case even before his siblings were
born. I suspect that Martin was indeed neglected as an only child, which was exacerbated by the next two
children.

Martin’s sense of independence is great. I am not surprised that he has had such successes and such a
strong drive to exceed all expectations. As also mentioned by Adler, the first born child spends life
attempting to regain their initial status as the main focus, which can be seen clearly in Martin’s behavior;
he refuses to work with others and share the spotlight, needing to be the center of his firm and everyone’s
attention. I would also like to point out again that Martin, even when the only child, never held the
spotlight. It is something that he has always wanted to do, but he never even had the chance. It is no
wonder that he continually strives to reach the unreachable goal.

                In addition, Martin not only attended college (as noted in Adler’s theory of birth order), but he
did exceptionally well. As first born children do, Martin worked extraordinarily hard to be a brilliant and
recognized student and lawyer. Although we do not know what Martin’s siblings have accomplished, it is
safe to say that they most likely have not achieved the recognition and financial success as their brother.

                I feel badly for Martin in that he does not seem to live a true life. Although successful in his work,
he does not appear successful in his interpersonal relationships (although not really noted, Martin is most
likely arrogant and dismissing when interacting with others. He is probably unable to take criticisms and
suggestions) as well as his intrapersonal one. I am curious as to how Martin feels about himself. I sense
that he has attempted to push his childhood out of view, not just because it was a painful time, but
because he cannot bear to revisit those feelings of sadness, rejection, and most of all, inferiority. Martin
will continue to struggle with true happiness until he is able to deal with his sense of inferiority in
childhood, and can learn that money, power, and recognition will not save him from those feelings.