According to one source, “A god complex is a pattern in which an individual believes they have great power, ability, infallibility, influence, and are superior to others.” One imagines the lowercase ‘g’ represents any given deity as opposed to G-d who purportedly spoke from a burning bush (Exodus 3).
Typically, I’m not fond of overused, though fashionable, clichés in the form of so-called complexes. Nevertheless, I don’t fully reject how observed patterns of behavior are recognized and then categorized for convenient systems of identification.
When contemplating the matter of a god complex, consider what I stated in a blogpost entitled Human Fallibility:
Who among us is perfect? While perhaps you know people who behave as though they make no mistakes—living life as though they are the saintly among us—in actuality, do you consider these people to be infallible?
One of the core principles underlying the Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) technique of unconditional self-acceptance relates to personal fallibility. I have always been, am currently, and will always be a fallible human being.
Likewise, building upon this proposition, unconditional other-acceptance is predicated upon truth which acknowledges that just as I’m an imperfect individual, all other humans are also flawed. With this understanding, consider what I stated in a blog entry entitled Fallible Human Being:
Rigidly or morally demanding that anyone shouldn’t, mustn’t, or oughtn’t to be a fallible human being facilitates the essence of one’s own imperfect nature. After all, expecting perfection from imperfection is neither a rational nor impeccable trait.
In view of a god complex, I’ve observed life coaches, psychotherapists, educators, politicians, and others seemingly attempt to create a world in their own image. It’s as though many people disregard their own fallibility and try to control, or perhaps influence, others to be more like them.
The overarching premise is that person X is superior while concluding that person Y should be more like person X. Illustrating this in the form of a syllogism, consider the following:
Form –
If p, then q; p; therefore, q.
Example –
If person X is superior to others, then person Y should be more like person X.
Person X is superior to others.
Therefore, person Y should be more like person X.
Thankfully, I’m not foolish or narcissistic enough to irrationally believe in this illogical and unreasonable proposition. In particular, REBT recognizes four major irrational beliefs of which global evaluation of self is one.
Often, this sort of evaluation results in a negative rating of self such as, “I’m worthless.” However, there are also overinflated self-evaluations such as, “I’m a god,” “I’m perfect,” “I’m superior to others,” and so on and so forth.
Noteworthy, not always do people fully hold these assumptions within their conscious mind. Person X may maintain a distorted inference while being unaware of the underlying belief. To demonstrate this distinction, consider the following:
“People don’t behave in a manner I like.” This is a distorted inference of which person X may be aware. For instance, when navigating the aisles of a grocery store, person X may mentally use this narrative as other shoppers apparently don’t behave according to person X’s personal dictate.
“People should be more like me.” This is a demandingness belief. Generally, this form of assumption presents itself automatically. As well, it serves as a moral or ethical mandate. Whereas moral implies good or bad, an ethic is based on a moral and serves as a rule.
“I’m better than everyone else.” This is a global evaluation that represents an unrealistic assessment of oneself. Although person X may not be immediately aware of this irrational narrative, it likely underlies the previous two beliefs.
Combining these beliefs will result in person X’s god complex narrative: “People don’t behave in a manner I like, although people should be more like me, because I’m better than everyone else.”
When perusing websites, blogpost, podcasts, videos, and other material of life coaches, psychotherapists, educators, politicians, and others, I often observe god complex narratives. Fortunately, I don’t try to create more of myself for the world in such a manner.
Among the invaluable lessons my late stepmom taught me, I thoroughly appreciate that she frequently said, “I didn’t write the book [Bible], and it’s a good thing I didn’t.” She inferred, in a non-distorted manner, that she would be a tyrant if given the opportunity to control others.
It took humility to admit such a thing. I, too, would likely be a vengeful god if granted ultimate power. Therefore, it’s a good thing I didn’t write the book. Likewise, I remind myself not to create miniature versions of myself when practicing REBT. This is because I’m not a god.
Fallible human beings are self-determined and autonomous actors who don’t need me to command how they ought to behave. Thus, when meeting with people via an electronic teletherapy platform I’m not speaking from a burning bush.
Are you looking for an imperfect psychotherapist who offers you the ability to improve your level of functioning and quality of life, though who doesn’t demand that you must change? If so, I look forward to working with your flaws as I facilitate REBT services in a fallible manner.
If you’re looking for a provider who works to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.
As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.
At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply helping you to feel better, I want to help you get better!
Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW
References:
Cuncic, A. (2024, May 23). God complex: What it means and why people have them. Verywell Mind. Retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-a-god-complex-7112056
Hollings, D. (2022, May 17). Circle of concern. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/circle-of-concern
Hollings, D. (2022, October 31). Demandingness. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/demandingness
Hollings, D. (2022, March 15). Disclaimer. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/disclaimer
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Hollings, D. (2023, September 8). Fair use. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/fair-use
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Hollings, D. (2023, February 17). Revisiting the circle of control. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/revisiting-the-circle-of-control
Hollings, D. (2024, January 4). Rigid vs. rigorous. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rigid-vs-rigorous
Hollings, D. (2024, May 26). Self-determination and autonomy. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/self-determination-and-autonomy
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Hollings, D. (2022, June 20). Teletherapy. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/teletherapy
Hollings, D. (2023, February 25). Unconditional other-acceptance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/unconditional-other-acceptance
Hollings, D. (2023, March 1). Unconditional self-acceptance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/unconditional-self-acceptance
Hollings, D. (2024, February 23). Wacky beliefs. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/wacky-beliefs
Hollings, D. (2022, August 8). Was Freud right? Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/was-freud-right
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