When we have an egocentric personality?
The egocentric personality is a set of characteristics and behaviors that are usually linked to arrogance, ambition and in some cases, to exhibitionism. Those who manifest this type of personality tend to believe themselves to be the center of the eyes, concerns and attentions of others.
Thus, egocentrism defines those people for whom the opinion of others does not matter, emphasizing their own. When we say that someone is self-centered, we refer to that person only sees the world from their point of view, that is, lacks the ability to empathize and do not care about the consequences that their actions have on others. Let's deepen.
The development of the egocentric personality
In the first years of our life, we are all egocentric for the simple fact that we have not yet developed the ability to think about others. However, as we reach maturity and our cognitive system develops, in our minds the others become visible as independent individuals.
The Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget studied egocentrism as part of child development. He observed that young children seem cognitively incapable of assimilating another person's perspective. Thus, for example, when they play hide and seek, they tend to cover their eyes, thinking that since they do not see, others will not be able to find them either.
In adolescence, the egocentric personality becomes evident above all in the relationship with peers. Young people think they are more special and much more important than others. This makes them consider themselves the center of all eyes, since they consider that they are the only ones who, by what they say or do, arouse interest. In addition, they feel misunderstood because they believe that others, mainly adults, do not have, nor have had, feelings similar to theirs.
Once we have reached maturity, that feeling of exclusivity is vanishing while it is understood that there are different points of view and perspectives. However, there are people who maintain as part of their way of being that egocentric feature, which in psychology is considered a cognitive bias, that is, a distortion in the processing of information that leads to misinterpreting what happens around.
"The canal is pleased thinking that the rivers do not exist but to bring water."
-Rabindranath Tagore-
5 traits that define the egocentric personality
Now that we know what egocentricity is and what we have all experienced in our childhood and adolescence, we will explain the main characteristics that are present in the egocentric personality.
Lack of empathy
The lack of empathy in the egocentric personality implies an inability or difficulty to leave oneself and be able to understand or feel what another person experiences.
The little empathic person lives immersed in his reality and ignores the world of others, their problems and their feelings. She will look for her own good in a selfish and uncommitted way with her surroundings and she will think that everyone should act, think and feel like her.
Unattainable goals
The self-centered, due to their feelings of greatness, focus on the constant search for success, power, love and wealth with the aim of staking. And therefore, the struggle to achieve those unrealistic goals often leads to frustration.
In many occasions, this will end up in an overload of stress and anxiety that will negatively affect self-esteem. In addition, your unattainable goals will directly affect future enthusiasm when considering new goals.
Lack of selfesteem
The egocentric personality is characterized by a great disguise of security towards others but which in reality hides a deep feeling of insecurity and low self-esteem. The artificial security they transmit is because they believe that everything they think is true, for the simple fact that their opinions are worth more than the rest.
According to the psychoanalyst Erich Fromm, egocentrism is a defense mechanism; that is, it would be an unconscious psychological strategy to not face reality and maintain self-image.
Exhibitionism
The egocentric personality also manifests itself in certain attitudes such as the motivation for the pleasure of being flattered and admired. This is usually observed in the excessive desire to expect to be rewarded with compliments by others and also in a permanent need to monopolize attention.
On the other hand, the egocentric needs an unconditional admiration through the control of the ideas, actions and behaviors of those around him.
Emotional manipulation or blackmail
Self-centered people use emotional blackmail and continuous manipulation to compensate for their feelings of insecurity. They only care about others to get something in return.
"Some people have not understood that the Earth revolves around the sun, not them."
-Cinchona-
As we can see, the most common characteristics of this type of personality can be a problem both for the person and for the relationships he has with others. However, identifying self-centeredness is the first step in managing it and moving towards change.
I’ve come across a monopoly of the egocentric type in my lifetime. I have seen some evolve past the limitations of such a state though, it’s interesting to see :)
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