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Rebel without a cause!

Sunday, April 01, 2007

The rise of the narcissists

MSNBC has a story about the rising level of narcissim in American Society। Strong sense of Individuality, rebelliousness etc have always been associated with American Psyche. But now there is an alarm whether too much of this might be bad.
The article based on research conducted by five psychologists led by a professor at San Diego state University has interest for individuals and the society।

Interestingly

"The study asserts that narcissists “are more likely to have romantic relationships that are short-lived, at risk for infidelity, lack emotional warmth, and to exhibit game-playing, dishonesty, and over-controlling and violent behaviors."

But it seems very interesting wether even this rise is probably a good thing. The author says
"Narcissism can have benefits, said study co-author W. Keith Campbell of the University of Georgia, suggesting it could be useful in meeting new people “or auditioning on ‘American Idol.”’"

Can this very trait (that of meeting new people) be the antidote. If a narcissist does try to meet more people and if he is not in the incurable range, then he might begin to see that others are special too and hence reduce narcissism to a healthy level.
Related on this blog


Update 11/11/08
One of the author's blog Jean Twenge

2 comments:

border between sanity and insanity said...

Yea, I think too much of narcissism isn't a good thing. While it may help in meeting new people, I dont think it'll help in maintaining friendships. I do find that more people are narcissistic these days, especially as they go higher and higher with their studies. Hmm.. someone sh'd do a study to see if Indians are the most narcissistic.

milieu said...

Yeah, I guess narcissism is too harsh a term to use. As I have argued earlier, one man's (or woman's) narcissist is another's assertive guy.
And in that sense, the old world in particular are guilty of being submissive (and look down on assertiveness) perhaps because of our culture's ingrained renunciation of self.
It's a balance and very tough to achieve!
Indians are getting there.