Narcissism

Some people think only of themselves.

A long time ago, a man named Narcissus fell in love with his own face. He saw his face in a pool of water. He could not stop looking at himself.

Today, doctors study this way of acting. Some people are very bold and want to be the best. Other people feel shy but still want lots of praise.

Being a little selfish is normal. But being too selfish can cause problems. It can make it hard to work with others or lead a team. It is good to be kind to everyone.

Narcissism is a way of thinking about oneself. It means a person cares a lot about their own needs. This can happen at the expense of other people.

The name comes from a Greek myth. A young man named Narcissus fell in love with his own reflection. He saw his face in a pool of water. He could not stop looking at himself.

Doctors study narcissism as a personality style. It exists on a scale. Some narcissism is normal and healthy. Other forms can be a problem. This is called narcissistic personality disorder, or NPD. People with NPD may find it hard to live or work well.

There are two main ways people show this. Some are called grandiose. These people feel very bold and important. They want power and success. Others are called vulnerable. These people may feel shy or needy. They often want lots of praise from others.

Narcissism can show up in many places. It can affect how parents treat children. It can also happen at work. Some leaders may rise to power because they are bold. But being too selfish can lead to bad choices.

Narcissism is a personality style where a person focuses very much on themselves. This often happens at the expense of other people. It is not just one thing, but a scale of behaviors. Many experts believe a little bit of self-focus is healthy for everyone. However, extreme versions can become a medical condition. This is called narcissistic personality disorder, or NPD. When someone has NPD, it can make daily life and relationships very difficult.

There are two main ways this personality style shows up in people. The first way is called grandiose narcissism. These people are often very bold and seek out rewards or power. They may act in ways that are very confident or even showy. They often have big dreams of success and feeling superior to others. The second way is called vulnerable narcissism. These people might seem shy or even avoid social groups. They often feel a strong need for praise and support from others. They may also feel hurt or angry when they do not get enough attention.

The name for this concept comes from an old Greek story. A poet named Ovid wrote about a man named Narcissus in 8 CE. In the story, Narcissus was a very handsome young man. He turned away many people who wanted to be his friend or lover. Because of this, the gods punished him in a special way. He fell in love with his own reflection in a pool of water. He could not stop looking at himself and eventually died.

Psychologists have studied this idea for a long time. In 1889, Paul Näcke and Havelock Ellis used the term to describe certain behaviors. Later, in 1911, Otto Rank wrote about vanity and self-admiration. Sigmund Freud published a famous essay on the topic in 1914. He thought people could direct their energy toward themselves instead of others. In 1925, Robert Waelder described these people as feeling superior to others. He also noted they might lack empathy, which is the ability to understand feelings.

Narcissism can show up in many parts of life. It can happen in families when parents treat children like extensions of themselves. It can also appear in the workplace. Some leaders rise to power because they are very social and bold. However, being too self-centered can lead to bad choices or even crimes. Some people even use the term to describe how people act on social media. It is a complex part of how humans interact with the world.

Narcissism is a personality style defined by an excessive preoccupation with oneself. This focus often occurs at the expense of other people. It is best understood as a continuum of expression. This means it ranges from normal personality traits to abnormal ones. Many psychologists believe a moderate degree of narcissism is healthy. However, extreme forms can become pathological. This can lead to narcissistic personality disorder, or NPD. People with NPD may experience functional impairment and psychosocial disability.

The term originates from Greek mythology. The Roman poet Ovid wrote about Narcissus in his work, Metamorphoses, in 8 CE. Narcissus was a handsome young man who rejected many lovers. One person he rejected was the nymph Echo. Echo was cursed to only repeat the sounds of others. As punishment, the gods caused Narcissus to fall in love with his own reflection. He saw himself in a pool of water and could not look away. Because he could not love the reflection, he eventually died. In ancient Greece, this type of extreme selfishness was known as hubris.

Psychologists have studied narcissism in many different ways since the late 19th century. In 1889, Paul Näcke and Havelock Ellis used the term to describe sexual behaviors. In 1911, Otto Rank published a paper linking narcissism to vanity. Ernest Jones wrote in 1913 about a "god complex." He described people who felt they were all-powerful or all-knowing. Sigmund Freud published a major essay on the topic in 1914. He described "primary narcissism" as a necessary stage in early infancy. He also noted "secondary narcissism," where people withdraw interest from the real world. In 1925, Robert Waelder defined it as a trait involving a lack of empathy.

Modern research identifies two primary expressions of narcissism. These are known as grandiose and vulnerable narcissism. Both types share an antagonistic core of selfishness and entitlement. They also share a lack of empathy and a tendency to devalue others. These two styles arise from different motivational systems. One system focuses on approaching rewards, while the other focuses on avoiding threats. Researchers suggest that grandiose narcissism may sometimes be a form of psychopathy. In contrast, genuine narcissists may more often fall into the vulnerable subtype.

Grandiose narcissism is characterized by temperamental boldness. These individuals often show high levels of positive emotionality and social dominance. They are frequently reward-seeking and enjoy taking risks. This type of narcissism involves a confident and exhibitionistic style. They often have high self-esteem and a strong sense of uniqueness. They may have fantasies of great success and power. In social settings, they can be charismatic and authoritative. However, their relationships are often exploitative and focused on personal gain.

Vulnerable narcissism is characterized by temperamental reactivity. These individuals often show negative emotionality and social avoidance. They may be passive and prone to sudden rage. Their self-esteem is often low and depends on external factors. They may have an unstable or unclear sense of self. This type of narcissism often leads to resentment toward the success of others. They may withdraw from social situations due to shame or distrust. Their relationships are often needy and involve an excessive need for constant admiration.

Narcissism can manifest in various specific environments. In sexual contexts, it may involve an inflated sense of sexual ability. This can sometimes be a way to compensate for low self-esteem. In families, narcissistic parents may view children as extensions of themselves. This can cause children to sacrifice their own feelings to meet parental needs. In the workplace, narcissism can influence leadership. Some narcissists rise to power because they are extraverted and socially skilled. However, their focus on personal status can lead to risky decisions or white-collar crime.