The inferiority complex and feelings of guilt in the genesis of certain forms of delinquent behavior

Abstract

Guilt is a recurring theme in human history, present in all civilizations and cultures, and is often linked to original sin in Western traditions. This feeling, which can be conscious or unconscious, generates remorse and the need for self-punishment, as highlighted by Freud, who explored its genesis and its connection with neurotic and criminal behavior. Freud described the “guilt delinquent,” an individual who commits crimes in search of punishment to alleviate unconscious guilt. Reik and Adler further analyzed the criminal behavior associated with this dynamic, suggesting that the desire for punishment can lead criminals to commit imperfect crimes, prompting them to confess. Adler, for his part, links guilt to an inferiority complex, observing how compensatory actions to overcome it can also fuel deviant behavior. In any case, guilt appears as a form of dissociation from one's own negative actions, which can lead to psychological purification through self-punishment. Analysis of clinical cases shows that guilt often stems from a psychological inferiority complex, which may have roots in physical or ethical-social factors. Guilt manifests itself through deviant behavior or neurotic symptoms, seeking psychological relief. The mother figure, perceived as distant, reinforces this complex, while the father figure does not adequately support separation and growth. The Adlerian approach suggests the recovery of self-esteem through positive compensation as a therapeutic strategy