Study: College Students More Narcissistic

Five psychologists are now collating the data and the news isn't good. In fact, what they are seeing and reporting is a condemnation of their profession itself, although I see no admission of that fact in the article.

The largest study of its type has been conducted and the news isn't good. Using the objective tool called the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI) has shown an alarming increase of narcissism in our young people since 1982 when the NPI was first introduced.

Here are a few interesting quotes from the AP article:

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."

Personally, I think the danger to American society due to a dramatic up tick of narcissism can not be over-stated. This article does nothing to over-state the concern, sadly enough. The article ends disappointingly because it tries to be "balanced" and therefore waters down the point. Oh, well. For those of us aware of the catastrophic problems to interpersonal relationships that narcissism presents we can take the information and well imagine the outcomes.

Who can we blame for the massive "self-esteem" projects launched by our educational system and foisted upon our children? The answer is obvious: psychology "experts". How long have we been inundated with the propaganda about self-esteem now? Well, a good two decades. Now we are seeing the fruition of this dangerous and destructive philosophy. There have already been numerous studies on "self esteem" and our children that have proven how self esteem which is not connected to real accomplishments undermines the competence of our children as well as undermining their ability to positively interact with society. Too bad the psychobabblers aren't willing to admit they are the creators of the evil outcomes of their dogma. I suppose I should be grateful that at least five psychotherapists are willing to look at the facts and sound an alarm.

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3/20/07...Sorry, the link to the Yahoo/AP story has expired.