burnet44
02-27-2007, 09:51 AM
Study: Young people increasingly self-absorbed
Study finds selfishness of college students may harm relationships
11:05 PM CST on Monday, February 26, 2007
From Wire Reports
All the effort to boost children's self-esteem may have backfired and produced a generation of college students who are more narcissistic than their Gen-X predecessors, according to a new study.
And the Internet, with all its MySpace and YouTube braggadocio, is letting that self-regard blossom even more, said the analysis, "Egos Inflating Over Time."
NARCISSISM METER
The Narcissistic Personality Inventory 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"
• "I can live my life any way I want to."
In the study released today, researchers warn that a rising ego rush could bring personal and social problems for the Millennial Generation, also called Gen Y. People with an inflated sense of self tend to have less interest in emotionally intimate bonds and can lash out when rejected or insulted.
"We need to stop endlessly repeating 'You're special' and having children repeat that back," said the study's lead author, San Diego State University psychology professor Jean Twenge. "Kids are self-centered enough already."
She and four other researchers examined the responses of 16,475 college students nationwide who completed an evaluation called the Narcissistic Personality Inventory between 1982 and 2006. By 2006, they said, two-thirds of the students had above-average scores, 30 percent more than in 1982.
Still, traits of narcissism have increased by moderate but significant amounts, said Dr. Twenge, who last year published a book titled Generation Me: Why Today's Young American are More Confident, Assertive, Entitled – and More Miserable Than Ever Before.
Some of the rise in narcissism was probably caused by self-esteem programs that many elementary schools adopted in the 1980s, the study suggested. It noted that preschools began to have children sing a song to the tune of "Frère Jacques" that proclaims: "I am special, I am special. Look at me."
The narcissism report is under review for publication in a scholarly journal, which would give it the stamp of academic recognition it now lacks. It was released, Dr. Twenge said, to coincide with the upcoming paperback edition of her book and with a workshop today at which she will discuss how college students approach education.
Some analysts have commended today's young people for increased commitment to volunteer work. But Dr. Twenge viewed even this phenomenon skeptically, noting that many high schools require community service and many youths feel pressure to list such endeavors on college applications.
Other trends such as permissive parenting, increased materialism and the fascination with celebrities and reality TV shows may also heighten self-regard, said the University of Georgia's W. Keith Campbell, a study co-author.
But Dr. Campbell did note that narcissism can have benefits, suggesting it could be useful in meeting new people "or auditioning on American Idol."
Study finds selfishness of college students may harm relationships
11:05 PM CST on Monday, February 26, 2007
From Wire Reports
All the effort to boost children's self-esteem may have backfired and produced a generation of college students who are more narcissistic than their Gen-X predecessors, according to a new study.
And the Internet, with all its MySpace and YouTube braggadocio, is letting that self-regard blossom even more, said the analysis, "Egos Inflating Over Time."
NARCISSISM METER
The Narcissistic Personality Inventory 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"
• "I can live my life any way I want to."
In the study released today, researchers warn that a rising ego rush could bring personal and social problems for the Millennial Generation, also called Gen Y. People with an inflated sense of self tend to have less interest in emotionally intimate bonds and can lash out when rejected or insulted.
"We need to stop endlessly repeating 'You're special' and having children repeat that back," said the study's lead author, San Diego State University psychology professor Jean Twenge. "Kids are self-centered enough already."
She and four other researchers examined the responses of 16,475 college students nationwide who completed an evaluation called the Narcissistic Personality Inventory between 1982 and 2006. By 2006, they said, two-thirds of the students had above-average scores, 30 percent more than in 1982.
Still, traits of narcissism have increased by moderate but significant amounts, said Dr. Twenge, who last year published a book titled Generation Me: Why Today's Young American are More Confident, Assertive, Entitled – and More Miserable Than Ever Before.
Some of the rise in narcissism was probably caused by self-esteem programs that many elementary schools adopted in the 1980s, the study suggested. It noted that preschools began to have children sing a song to the tune of "Frère Jacques" that proclaims: "I am special, I am special. Look at me."
The narcissism report is under review for publication in a scholarly journal, which would give it the stamp of academic recognition it now lacks. It was released, Dr. Twenge said, to coincide with the upcoming paperback edition of her book and with a workshop today at which she will discuss how college students approach education.
Some analysts have commended today's young people for increased commitment to volunteer work. But Dr. Twenge viewed even this phenomenon skeptically, noting that many high schools require community service and many youths feel pressure to list such endeavors on college applications.
Other trends such as permissive parenting, increased materialism and the fascination with celebrities and reality TV shows may also heighten self-regard, said the University of Georgia's W. Keith Campbell, a study co-author.
But Dr. Campbell did note that narcissism can have benefits, suggesting it could be useful in meeting new people "or auditioning on American Idol."