Today's college students are more narcissistic and self-centered than their
predecessors, according to a comprehensive new study by five psychologists
who worry that the trend could be harmful to personal relationships and
American society.
"We need to stop endlessly repeating 'You're special' and having
children repeat that back," said the study's lead author, Professor Jean
Twenge of San Diego State University. "Kids are self-centered enough
already."
Twenge and her colleagues examined the responses of 16,475 college
students nationwide who completed an evaluation called the Narcissistic
Personality Inventory test.
The standardized inventory, known as the NPI, asks for responses to
such statements as "If I ruled the world, it would be a better place," "I
think I am a special person" and "I can live my life any way I want to."
The researchers describe their study as the largest ever of its type
and say students' NPI scores have risen steadily since the current test
was introduced in 1982. By 2006, they said, two-thirds of the students had
above-average scores, 30 percent more than in 1982.
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.'"
"Unfortunately, narcissism can also have very negative consequences for
society, including the breakdown of close relationships with others," he
said.
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."
