The Four Dimensions of Narcissism

THE FOUR DIMENSIONS OF NARCISSISM

by Antonio C. Antonio

November 9, 2014

What is “narcissism”?  Narcissism is defined as: (1) An excessive or erotic interest in oneself and one’s physical appearance; (2) In Psychology… An extreme selfishness, with a grandiose view of one’s own talents and craving for admiration; and, (3) In Psychoanalysis… A mental disorder characterised by excessive self-centeredness. 

As a personality variable, there are the four dimensions of narcissism:

1. Leadership / Authority;
2. Superiority / Arrogance;
3. Self-Absorption / Self-Admiration; and,
4. Exploitativeness / Entitlement.

Narcissists commonly display most, if not all, of the following traits: (Wikipedia)

• An obvious self-focus in interpersonal exchanges;
• Problems in sustaining satisfying relationships;
• A lack of psychological awareness;
• Difficulty with empathy;
• Problems distinguishing the self from others;
• Hypersensitivity to any insults or imagined insults;
• Vulnerability to shame rather than guilt;
• Haughty body language;
• Flattery towards people who admire and affirm them;
• Using other people without considering the cost of doing so;
• Pretending to be more important than they really are;
• Bragging subtly but persistently and exaggerating their achievements;
• Claiming to be an expert at many things;
• Inability to view the world from the perspective of other people; and,
• Denial of remorse and gratitude.

The term “narcissism” was originally rooted from a Greek myth “Narcissus”.  Narcissus was a young and handsome Greek who rejected the admiration of everyone that led him to fall in love with himself; with his own reflection from a pool.  For hours in a typical day, he would do nothing to endlessly stare at his own image… until he fell into a spell and changed into a flower named after him: “Narcissus”. 

Social media netizens are, in varying degrees, said to be guilty of narcissism in one way or the other.  In the last fifteen years, psychological tests designed to detect narcissism have been made and psychologists have linked its cause to social networking.  I should also highlight that narcissism is not bad per se.  This little article --- having enumerated the dimensions and traits of a narcissist --- will give us a pretty good idea where we all stand in the four dimensions of narcissism.

Just my little thoughts…

(Please visit, like and share Pro EARTH Crusaders and Landscape Ecology UPOU on Facebook or follow me at http://antonantonio.blogspot.com/.)