The psychology of narcissism - W. Keith Campbell

Narcissism isn’t just a personality type that shows up in advice columns; it’s actually a set of traits classified and studied by psychologists. But what causes it? And can narcissists improve on their negative traits? W. Keith Campbell describes the psychology behind the elevated and sometimes detrimental self-involvement of narcissists.

Lesson by W. Keith Campbell, animation by TOGETHER.

[stewiegriffin]

Fun fact: the flower was named for Narcissus because of how it arcs towards the water; as if it’s looking at its reflection.

[marveldk]

My therapist said that my narcissism causes me to misread social situations.
I’m pretty sure she was hitting on me.

[elenbalyan]

A lack of empathy is a big indicator of narcissism. This indicates that the narcissist is unable or unwilling to understand the desires, needs, or emotions of other people. They find it challenging to accept accountability for their actions as a result. From my own experience, narcissistic people are extremely resistant to changing their behavior, even when it's causing them problems.

[mimic]

Narcissism isn't generally about thinking they're better than someone or not.. It's more about thinking of one self as the main character in a movie and everybody else exists only in relation to their self-image (supporting casts). Narcissists feel shame, no guilt. They are vaguely dissatisfied with their life. They often feel rage, sadness, anxiety with high intensity and frequently. They don't feel joy or happiness outside of themself.

[shimpiyaa]

Narcissus died because he heard about my birth. He was afraid of competition

[youngreeper]

I've realized that over the years of rise of social media, we've gotten a front-row seat to how narcissistic some people can be.

[querencia]

Loving yourself & being obsessed with yourself is absolutely fine, just make sure you don't bring other people down

[HeadCannon]

I’m definitely not a narcissist, I’m probably the most humble person ever despite the fact that I’m one of the smartest, best looking, most competent, and overall best people I know

[midnightmidnight]

"For a narcissist, self-reflection is hard from an unflattering angle."

[themuffinman]

i always thought i was a narcissist, and i kinda am. I realised that i am not only a bit egoistic but i'm also a bit of a vulnerable narcissist. I get irritated or annoyed when someone is actually being better than me in something i'm good at, or when someone tries to say that they're smarter than me. I never told this to anyone for obvious reasons

[mitsyuaya]

me watching this: “am i a narcissist?”

[oonooooooooo]

it’s so interesting to find out more about my parents culture 💕

[dorian]

As infants, we all begin as narcissists. We need to be taught to care about others.

[abdurahimannoushad]

When Narcissus died, the entire creations around wept for him. The trees, the river, the animals and the birds, everyone mourned his death, as they no longer could enjoy his beauty.
After sometimes, they all gradually forgot about Narcissus, except the river. The river kept on crying and the water become salty, making it non drinkable for the animals and birds. To solve the problem an angel arrived and asked the river why she was still crying for Narcissus.
The river remained quite and kept on crying.
The angel asked whether it was because she no longer could enjoy the beauty of Narcissus staring at her.

At last the river replied.
"I am not crying because Narcissus is no more there to stare at me. It's because I will miss seeing my own reflection in his eyes when he stared at me"

-The Alchemist.

[billbright]

It’s hard to be humble when your perfect in every way.

Yo Yo! Sup? Word up.
Come on my peeps, that other guys way to far ahead, , make with the likes already!

[potatobitsprout]

I've been struggling with narcissism since my parents spoiled me a lot. My parents give me what i want and give me little responsibility to carry, since my older siblings carry more. It affects my relationship with others and now i have no friends. Being self-centred brat pushes people away from me.

[psivast]

I think the label "narcissist" is thrown around a lot to label someone who is confident and that we don't like. We have become a society that reacts too much and understands too little. I think an even worse epidemic in society is not the narcissistic tendencies people exhibit, but rather our sudden urge to label someone we don't understand or even appreciate as someone who "obviously" has a mental problem. As someone who has a diagnosed mental health "label", I think a better way to explain someone who is acting in a different manner then we might like or even expect, would be to go and talk to that person, and let THEM explain to you what it is that might be causing them to be perceived in a certain way. Most people have other attributing factors that are leading to their less then ideal behavior, and we should judge less and understand more, before throwing around labels like "narcissist".

[ariefali]

I grew up with a narcissistic father. He once said, "I am right even when I'm wrong".

I developed a habit to always reflect myself just to make sure I don't turn out like him.

My growth to seek love, success, or even such as happiness, has been severely stunted.

For those who suffered as I did, don't give up. You can't save them but you can save yourself.

[ishitajain]

A narcissistic ex lover after I broke up with him once told me-
"I think we should get back together because rn we're both unhappy but if we get back ik I'll be happy and that's better than the both of us being unhappy"
That was the most manipulative, scary, infuriating and outrageous thing I'd ever heard, please don't put up with it, don't try to change them, just LEAVE.

[suryanshkhatri]

I believe that ACCEPTING OUR OWN FLAWS and trying to improve is a trait that makes us 'non narcissistic' (if that's a word)