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Narcissism Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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narcissism

[หˆnษ‘หsษชsษชz(ษ™)m ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

psychology

Excessive interest in oneself and one's physical appearance.

Synonyms

egocentrism, self-centeredness, self-love.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
narcissism

Often used in psychological discussions or to describe someone excessively preoccupied with their own appearance or importance. It has a negative connotation.

  • His narcissism made it difficult for him to form genuine relationships.
  • The therapist diagnosed her with narcissistic personality disorder.
self-love

Has a positive connotation, referring to a healthy regard and respect for oneself. It implies a balanced sense of self-worth.

  • Practicing self-love is important for mental health.
  • Self-love helped her overcome many of her insecurities.
self-centeredness

Refers to someone who is focused on themselves to the exclusion of others. It implies a negative trait but is less severe than 'narcissism'.

  • Her self-centeredness made her unpopular among her peers.
  • He didn't realize his self-centeredness was pushing people away.
egocentrism

Typically applied in developmental psychology to describe a child's inability to see things from another's perspective. It can also refer to adults who think only of themselves, usually in a negative light.

  • Young children often exhibit egocentrism and have trouble understanding others' viewpoints.
  • His egocentrism was evident in how he never considered anyone else's feelings.

Examples of usage

  • Her narcissism prevented her from forming deep connections with others.
  • His narcissism was evident in the way he constantly checked himself out in the mirror.
Context #2 | Noun

sociology

Excessive admiration of or fascination with oneself.

Synonyms

self-absorption, self-obsession, vanity.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
narcissism

This term is used in both psychological contexts and everyday language to describe excessive interest in one's own appearance and abilities. It suggests a more clinical or intense level of self-focus.

  • His narcissism made it difficult for him to maintain healthy relationships.
  • Narcissism can often be linked to deeper psychological issues.
self-absorption

This word is appropriate when referring to someone who is excessively focused on their own feelings and concerns, often to the point of being unaware of others. It is usually used in a negative sense.

  • Her self-absorption made her seem uninterested in other people's problems.
  • John's self-absorption was so extreme that he failed to notice when his friends were struggling.
self-obsession

This is used to describe someone who is overly preoccupied with their own thoughts, interests, and appearance. It carries a negative connotation, suggesting unhealthy levels of self-focus.

  • His self-obsession was evident in the way he constantly talked about himself.
  • The actress's self-obsession made her a difficult person to work with.
vanity

This term is typically used to describe excessive pride in one's appearance or achievements. It often implies a superficial or frivolous focus on oneself.

  • Her vanity was obvious from the number of mirrors in her house.
  • Vanity can often lead people to make poor decisions for the sake of appearance.

Examples of usage

  • His narcissism led him to constantly seek validation from others.
  • The rise of social media has contributed to the increase in narcissism among young people.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Narcissism can be part of a personality spectrum, with healthy self-esteem on one end and unhealthy narcissism on the other.
  • It is classified into two types: grandiose narcissism, featuring high self-esteem and dominance, and vulnerable narcissism, which involves insecurity and sensitivity to criticism.

Culture

  • Narcissistic traits have become more visible in popular culture, particularly in reality television and social media, where self-promotion is common.
  • Fictional characters exhibiting narcissistic traits often capture public attention, revealing society's fascination with self-obsession.

Science

  • Research shows that an increase in narcissistic traits among younger generations may correlate with the rise of social media platforms.
  • Studies suggest that extreme narcissism is linked to various mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, despite the facade of confidence.

Literature

  • Narcissistic themes appear in literature, from Oscar Wildeโ€™s 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' to F. Scott Fitzgeraldโ€™s 'The Great Gatsby,' exploring the consequences of self-obsession.
  • The concept has sparked discussions in various novels about the impact of vanity and the quest for self-identity.

Origin of 'narcissism'

Main points about word origin

  • The term comes from Narcissus, a character in Greek mythology who loved his own reflection.
  • The word itself was coined in the early 20th century by psychologist Sigmund Freud to describe a personality disorder.

The term 'narcissism' originates from Greek mythology, where Narcissus was a young man who fell in love with his own reflection in a pool of water. Unable to tear himself away, he eventually wasted away and died. Sigmund Freud later popularized the concept of narcissism in psychology, describing it as a fixation on oneself. Today, narcissism is a widely recognized personality trait and can manifest in various forms, from self-centeredness to an obsession with self-image.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,457, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.