Students' Narcissism On the Rise

[Tom Flapwell]

Nationwide survey finds today's collegians are more self-centered
NEW YORK -– Today's college students are more narcissistic and self-centered than their predecessors, according to a comprehensive new survey by five psychologists.

Professor Jean Twenge of San Diego State University and her colleagues, in findings to be presented at a workshop Tuesday in San Diego, examined the responses of 16,475 college students nationwide who completed an evaluation called the Narcissistic Personality Inventory between 1982 and 2006.

The standardized inventory asks for responses to such statements as "If I ruled the world, it would be a better place," 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' 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.

Any idea why? It's pretty ironic, since having a B.A. means less today than it once did.

[jent]

Good article thanks for posting.....Here are my thoughts (as worthless as they are)

First I have to agree, I have been to two university's and the people sucked on both of them. But personal experiences aside here is why I think students are getting more stuck up.

College in the US is damn expensive. And it is getting more expensive as time goes on. I would like to make the argument that the reason college students perception of self has changed is because the demographic of college has changed. IME people who have had everything handed to them on a silver platter in general are more stuck up, and are less likely to consider view points from other people. So as college got more expensive the people who went to college had to be better off. And because of that correlation I think that the average student body's mind set also shifted.

Another reason for this correlation I can think of is that in general I think the population as a whole is becoming more Narcissistic. I have no evidence to support this beyond just seeing mean self centered people every day. But the article says nothing about the general population vs the college population. So if there is a falling trend in the general population and a increase trend in the college demographic it would be a lot more shocking.

So given the last point, why is society (if it is) becoming more Narcissistic? Obviously at this point (and earlier) it is all speculation. But I would argue that the foundation of this is the inability of people to view situations from other people's eyes. With a little psychological research you will find that the number one parenting advice you can give is to teach your child what it is like to be in someone else's shoes. It spawns a whole level of thinking that is otherwise not developed, and in general produces an individual who is nicer, and more socially acceptable.

Now after stating all that I would like to support my last two arguments about the general population with an example from the US....politics. If you look at politics over the last 20 years you will see that the division between the republicans and democrats has gotten wider and wider. So the population is getting less and less moderate. Which is interesting, because IMO, the two parties have been getting closer and closer to each other on a lot of policies. But besides that point when you watch people debate the idea of civil conversation is basically non-existent any more. If someone does not agree with you often they wont even listen to your arguments, and usually will get angry if you find a fault in there logic. Anger is a natural response, but it is important to be able to question your own ideals and look at things from there view point, and at the same time remain civil. IME it seems that this is becoming an inability with today's society.

Sorry for the long rant, but I really hate people who are closed minded and think they are better than everyone else. I have thought about this before.....

[Rooster]

Students are totally more self-centred nowadays.

A few of us tried to start an animal rights group, and about 7 hippies turned up for the first meeting, then never showed up again. After meeting 3 and just 4 people, we gave up.

Students want to screw each other and buy things now, they don't want to change the world as they live in suburban paradise. There's no threats for them to be worried about.

[Angstwolf]

Improving the world is pretty much my <i>only</i> long-term goal in life. I don't understand how people can be so self-centered. But they are. :\

[The Donmeister]

"If I ruled the world, it would be a better place,"

True!

[Muninn]

All through the day - I, me, mine
Even those tears - I, me, mine
- George Harrison

[nickspoon]

I'm not a narcissist. I'm better than that.

[Comrade K]

Jent's got a lot of it right I think.

Especially the pragraph about the divisions between political parties. I don't notice it as much around here, but then again I live in a New Democratic Party (which is the most socialist of the three national parties)stronghold,led by what many consider to be the best politician in Canada (his name is ) so there isn't much division. However, on the internet, you can rarely see a civil discussion of politics take place, unless everyone votes the same way.

I try to meet people half way in a lot of arguments myself, and I make sure to listen to their points. For example, one of my friends is a devout Christian, and we got into a religion discussion, and she merely got angry and acted like I was an idiot for not believing. Another friend of mine is a Jehovah's Witness, and we also had a spiritual discussion, but I was able to present my points without ridicule, as he was. We discussed theories and the like, and I feel we both left as more open and intelligent people, even though we disagreed.

I think the reason for the narcissism is just the culture of today. It's all about "BUY BUY BUY" and make more money to spend. Nobody values things without monetary value anymore. Even from a small age, kids are taught to ask, no, demand toys and candy and the like from their parents. It's all about ME and GET. They have no concept, like jent said, of what others are feeling, as I have seen many times.