Self-centered personality: 15 characteristic features
The egocentric personality and the set of egocentric behaviors are usually linked to certain behavioral patterns, such as ambition, arrogance or exhibitionism.
Being able to recognize the personality traits and behavioral manifestations of the egocentric personality will equip you with resources to identify this type of people .
Self-centered personality: 15 traits to detect egocentricity
Habitually, egocentric people use this characteristic as a psychological barrier that prevents them from acting taking into account the consequences of their actions on others. Frequently, the origin of this trait can be found in their family experience, generally in an environment composed of parents of little affectivity, who project their child desires for greatness and omnipotence .
But, what exactly is the egocentric personality? The following 15 traits are characteristic of self-centered people.
Distorted self-image
1. False self-confidence
Although the external image of the egocentric can appear as a great self-confidence, the reality is different. Self-centered people are, in reality, insecure. According to the German psychologist Erich Fromm, this is due to a defense mechanism (1991). They project artificial self-confidence and seem convinced of everything they say, that's why they can be persuasive and be able to act as if they have great self-esteem .
2. Excess of self-esteem
It is observed that they value themselves excessively. However, the researcher D.M. Svarkic argues that this attitude may indicate just the opposite: a fragile self-esteem that they try to compensate through efforts to be respected, recognized and admired for other people.
3. The feelings of greatness
The self-centered person believes to be a possessor of great talents and special skills , and thinks that their problems and needs can only be met by people with great capacity and prestige. The environment of the egocentric person usually uses some expressions to refer to this attitude, such as "a person believes".
4. Ambition and excessive expectations
As a result of their feelings of greatness, self-centered people they can be constantly focused on their fantasies of power , success, love, sex, etcetera. It is not uncommon for them to think that at any moment their professional life will hatch and they will become millionaires.
5. Distortion of reality
The egocentric just accept the reality that fits with your grandiose reveries . He tends not to give credit or simply rejects those aspects of his life that call into question his prestige and his image as a perfect and admirable person.
Little empathy
6. Is not able to recognize the feelings of others
The poor manifestation of feelings and affective gestures towards the people around him (being sensitive would make him feel inferior) contrasts with the egocentric need to be admired, flattered and respected. It shows little sensitive to others .
7. Difficulty assessing the personal characteristics of the people in their environment
This point generates a total lack of commitment, empathy and affectivity between the egocentric person and his close associates.
Hypersensitivity to the evaluation of others
8. Reacts excessively to criticism received
Although I may not express it directly, the individual with egocentric personality is very prone to feeling offended by any criticism (Kohut, 1972). He considers that others do not have sufficient level or authority to judge him, and that the criticism is probably due to the envy he arouses. They tend to show excessively susceptible .
9. He compares himself to others and feels envious
He worries about feeling valued as better than others . Indirectly, the self-centered person expresses feelings of envy , since it is not capable of accepting the success of others. Neither are they able to accept the help of another person. This last point is paradoxical, since although they need to receive praise and respect from others, they are unable to accept any kind of help.
Difficulties in interpersonal relationships
10. Exhibitionism
The egocentric personality also manifests itself in certain attitudes such as 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 a permanent need to monopolize attention. For this reason they tend to show a tendency to occupy positions of public repercussion, from which they can be the object of attention and admiration (Akhtar and Thompson, 1982).
11. Feeling of having rights over other people
This implies that the self-centered person believes himself entitled to receive preferential treatment and certain privileges with respect to others. This is manifested in the signs of pride, vanity and the moments when requires that you be granted certain privileges and prebends .
12. Machiavellianism
The Machiavellianism it is defined as the tendency to use other people for their own benefit. This behavior reinforces in the strong egocentric person feelings of envy , and only interested in other people to the extent that you can use them to get something in return.
13. Control over the others (manipulation)
The egocentric personality requires a high share of power in order to compensate for the feeling of background insecurity. The egocentric individual tries to force other people to offer them their unconditional admiration through control over their ideas, actions or behaviors; through manipulation or emotional blackmail.
14. Distortion in verbal expression
It is usual to refer to this characteristic as "egocentrism of language". The fundamental objective of language based on I is to try to impress and increase your own self-esteem. The communicative function of the language takes a back seat. The communicative style it is characterized by a constant focus on oneself , and for being unable to listen to the interlocutor.
15. Solitary and pessimistic
The egocentric person, finally, is characterized by suffering feelings of existential emptiness and sadness . Loneliness is one of the tolls of the egocentric personality, since little by little they are rejected by the next people (friends, relatives, companions).
