Herostratus complex is a term used in modern psychiatry in relation to persons suffering from a sense of their own inferiority. In order to achieve self-realization and achieve fame, they draw attention to their personality by defiant aggressive acts - they destroy art objects, valuables, socially useful objects, torturing animals and people.
History of the term
The Herostratus complex was named after the famous Greek who lived in the fourth century before the beginning of our era. This inhabitant of Ephesus in 356 set fire to the sanctuary built in honor of Artemis - one of the most beautiful temples of that time, rightly ranked among the seven wonders of the world. The inhabitants of the city jointly decided that the name of the vandal should be forgotten, nevertheless, Herostratus is mentioned in a work written in the same century by Theopompus.
It so happened that the name of the Greek became a household name, and today the complex of Herostratus is a term that is used to describe those who seek public recognition at any cost, regardless of the laws and accepted norms of behavior. The expression "Gerostrat's glory" has a pronounced negative character.
This is interesting
According to legend, the event that marked the beginning of the name of the phenomenon itselfvandalism in this form occurred on the night Alexander the Great was born.
When modern analysts, psychologists are trying to understand what prompted Herostratus to such an act, many appeal to the conditions of his life. Of course, ordinary people will put it simply - this is a flawed person, but such a description is unacceptable for science. From history it has been noted for certain that Herostratus belonged to merchants, was neither rich nor famous, did not have any outstanding qualities and achievements. The desire to attract attention to himself at any cost ate him from the inside so much that it pushed him to an act that inscribed the Ephesian name in the history of our mankind for millennia. Probably, if he knew how many followers would follow in his footsteps, Herostratus would be happy.
About terminology
The glory of Herostratus is a term applied to a negative in its direction fame in the society of a person distinguished by pride and a tendency to destruction. In the broad masses, they will simply say about this “this is a flawed person”, but a more correct, correct, polite expression is Herostratus.
Currently, Herostratus can be called that which mindlessly and unreasonably destroys what is valuable for society (inanimate, living).
Risk group
It's no secret that people with an inferiority complex are mostly teenagers. As psychologists say, this period is characterized by the manifestation of the considered and other complexes, which, as they grow older, either remain defeated in the past, or are suppressed. However, in a small percentage of cases, the trait becomes permanent, it is almost impossible to eliminate it, especially if you do not resort to therapy. Some say that teenagers are literally a complex factory, but some of them are socially influenced.
Often, mental trauma leads to quite characteristic behavior: a person demonstratively strives for destruction, tries to shock the public with his actions. This manner allows you to stand out from the crowd and draw attention to yourself, earn fame. Some resort to this behavior in the hope of earning sympathy (of the public as a whole or of a particular individual). By the way, the weak manifestation of this complex includes a tendency to fight, risk. Many psychologists are firmly convinced that the Herostratus complex and vandalism are two closely related concepts.
What is it about?
The Herostratus complex in psychiatry closely coexists with the understanding of the nature of vandalism. At the same time, they talk about the meaningless destruction of social values (culture, material), desecration of objects. Often suffer public places - transport, entrances. To combat this phenomenon, laws are even being adopted (however, they work rather poorly). The culprit caught at the scene of the crime (if he can prove his guilt) will have to pay a fine - 50-100 minimum wages. Sometimes the value is different, it all depends on the specific decision of the court and the wages of the perpetrator. Can appoint compulsory or correctivework, there is a risk of being arrested.
As can be seen from the statistics, most often objects, houses, are subjected to the destructive influence of aggressive personalities. This is largely due to the presence of fragile items. As psychologists say, mental trauma encourages people to destroy what attracts attention precisely with fragility, weakness. At the same time, the feeling of pleasure brings the noise that is heard during the action. The process becomes not just an attempt to attract attention, but also a method of getting pleasure from screams, ringing, indicating life changes.
When things go further
There are many cases when a sense of inferiority pushed people not just to damage property, but to destroy someone's life. First of all, the small and defenseless suffer: pets, young children. Recently, a special revelry has been associated with the possibility of publishing materials on the Internet: the modern Herostratus remains unrecognized, while the whole planet knows about his activities. In order to attract attention, such people are ready to mock and painfully kill kittens, puppies, children - in a word, all those who arouse compassion among the masses.
As mentioned above, the concept of an inferiority complex is more characteristic of minors than adults. If we analyze the statistics on cases of the manifestation of the Herostratus complex on the Internet, it becomes clear that the initiators are often children and adolescents. But adult flayers, sadists do not draw attention toits activities. Based on this, psychologists say: the former seek recognition, while the latter strive precisely for the very process of destroying the living. Of course, none of the motives justifies the way people behave, but understanding their logic makes it easier to find the culprit and choose an effective punishment to protect others.
How to be remembered by others?
Herostratus Complex is a medical term. But the word itself is known and heard by many. In a word, the ancient Greek vandal achieved what he aspired to. But does anyone living today know who designed the long-suffering temple of Artemis? Only specialists in ancient Greek history and architecture have such information. By the way, creating this masterpiece required much more effort than setting it on fire!
Even the ancient Greeks were well aware that evil glory persists through the ages much better than positive, as actions are designed to shock the public. This is also observed in our time: for example, many users post the same pets on the Internet, but in the news they only talk about tormentors. Who knows people involved, for example, in the treatment of those picked up from the streets? Their names remain in shadow.
What to do?
Modern reality is this: the more terrible the act committed by a person, the more famous he gets. Studies have shown that the wide publicity of the first case of shooting in an American school led to a repetition of this situation, and more than once. As analysts say, the best way to fight is to switch the focus of attentionthe public from the very negative acts to the laws that need to be passed and enforced to protect public peace.
The more, longer and with pathos and anger people talk about sadists and vandals, the more they provoke them to repeat their actions, and others to follow the same path in order to get their share of fame. On the other hand, if everyone understood perfectly well that a quarter of an hour of “likes” on the Internet and participation in a news report would be punished by years in a colony or prison, there would probably be significantly fewer people who want to try themselves in this field.
Alfred Adler's approach
Inferiority complex according to the teachings of this psychoanalyst well reveals the essence of the phenomenon of Herostratus. As this scientist declared in his works, the term should be understood as a strong self-doubt that does not let go of a person, coupled with low self-esteem. Such a person is characterized by a constant feeling of superiority over him by individuals from the social environment.
Classic symptomatology - the desire to attract the public, focusing on suffering, fears. Quite often, such people have speech defects, they are constantly tormented by strong tension. At a young age, many try to get away from their complex through status symbols, bad habits. Often it is the inferiority complex that explains the arrogance of a person.
Depression, family and inferiority complex
A sick person is the object of attention of his relatives. This also appliessuffering from depressive disorders. Understanding oneself as the center becomes a source of strength for the individual. Always complaining, such a person attracts attention and becomes stronger internally due to this. Such behavior suppresses he althy people around, as the specificity of the prevailing culture gives power, the strength of morbidity.
According to Alfred Adler, if we consider the power in the human community, then we should say that babies are in power, able to control the lives of adults, while remaining beyond their control.
What causes the complex to form?
As a rule, this is provoked by physical disabilities or excessive parental concern for the well-being of the child - in such conditions, the child simply cannot learn to independently solve problems that arise on the path of life. However, complexes also arise in the opposite situation, when the child feels a lack of attention from older generations: this gives rise to self-doubt.
If a small child cares enough about his abilities, he must be supported. Approval helps to effectively deal with any emerging phenomena of inferiority, and this, in turn, prevents the appearance of the Herostratus complex. But criticism with or without cause is a direct path to the formation of a flawed personality, aggressive and inadequate. As the German scientist noted, inferiority is a psychopathological syndrome, persistent and provoking various deviations.
What to do?
As seen fromexperience of modern psychologists, the very fact of the presence of an inferiority complex is recognized by many people, but not everyone is trying to deal with it. Additional complexity is provoked by the fear of error: a person seems to be striving to improve the situation, but is afraid to do something that will lead to failure, so he does not take action at all. Psychologists know exactly how to get rid of an inferiority complex without harming their own psyche. To do this, they offer to return to childhood and analyze the situations that traumatized at that time. It is recommended to recall three cases and, regarding them, formulate what thoughts and sensations accompanied that moment, how long the feelings about what happened later disturbed.
The success of the analysis is due to the opportunity to look at what happened from the position of an adult, experienced, reasonable person. The complex was created by circumstances that a person could not influence at that moment, but in retrospective analysis one can realize who was actually right and wrong at that moment. All the negative beliefs that accompany a person through life need to be reassessed. To do this, it is recommended to form a table of two columns, writing out negative beliefs in one half, and the opposite ones in the other. If you succeed in learning to think positively about yourself, this will already be a serious step towards combating complexes.
