Egocentric Personality: 15 Characteristic Traits

The egocentric personality and the set of egocentric behaviors are usually linked to certain behavioral patterns, such as ambition, arrogance or exhibitionism.

Being able to recognize the personality traits and behavioral manifestations of the egocentric personality will equip you with resources to identify these types of people

Egocentric personality: 15 traits to detect egocentrism

Usually, egocentric people use this characteristic as a psychological barrier that prevents them from acting taking into account the consequences of their actions on others. Frequently, the origin of this trait can be found in their family experience, generally in an environment made up of parents with little affection, who project their feelings onto the child. desires for greatness and omnipotence

But what exactly is the egocentric personality like? The following 15 traits are characteristic of self-centered people.

Distorted self-image

1. False self-confidence

Although the external image of the egocentric may appear to have great self-confidence, the reality is different. Self-centered people are often, in reality, insecure. According to the German psychologist Erich Fromm, this is due to a defense mechanism (1991). They project an artificial self-confidence and seem convinced of everything they say, which is why They can be persuasive and be able to act as if they have high self-esteem

2. Excess self-esteem

It is observed that they value themselves excessively. However, researcher DM Svarkic maintains that this attitude may indicate just the opposite: a fragile self-esteem that They try to compensate through efforts to be respected, recognized and admired by other people.

3. Feelings of greatness

The egocentric person believes he or she possesses great talents and special abilities, and thinks that their problems and needs can only be attended to by people with great capacity and prestige. The environment of the egocentric person usually uses some expressions to refer to this attitude, such as “he thinks he is a divot.”

4. Ambition and excessive expectations

As a result of their feelings of grandeur, self-centered people They may be constantly focused on their power fantasies, success, love, sex, etc. It is not unusual for them to think that at any moment their professional life will blossom and they will become millionaires.

5. Distortion of reality

The egocentric He only accepts the reality that fits his dreams of grandeur He tends to disbelieve or simply rejects those aspects of his life that call into question his prestige and his image as a perfect and admirable person.

Little empathy

6. He is not able to recognize the feelings of others

The poor manifestation of feelings and affective gestures towards the people around them (being sensitive would make them feel inferior) contrasts with the egocentric’s need to be admired, flattered and respected. It shows little sensitive to others

7. Difficulty in assessing the personal characteristics of the people around you

This point generates a total lack of commitment, empathy and affection between the egocentric person and those close to him.

Hypersensitivity to the evaluation of others

8. You react excessively to the criticism you receive

Although he may not express it directly, the individual with an egocentric personality is very prone to feel offended by any criticism (Kohut, 1972). He considers that others do not have sufficient level or authority to judge him, and that the criticism is probably due to the envy he arouses. They usually show overly susceptible

9. You compare yourself to others and feel envy

You are concerned about feeling valued as better than the others Indirectly, the egocentric person expresses feelings of envy, since he is not capable of accepting other people’s success. They are also not able to accept help from another person. This last point is paradoxical, since although they need to receive praise and respect from others, they are incapable of accepting any kind of help.

Difficulties in interpersonal relationships

10. Exhibitionism

The egocentric personality also manifests itself in certain attitudes such as motivation for the pleasure of feeling flattered and admired This is usually observed in the excessive desire to expect to be rewarded with praise from others, and also a permanent need to monopolize attention. For this reason, they tend to show a great tendency to occupy positions of public repercussion, from which they can be the object of attention and admiration (Akhtar and Thompson, 1982).

11. Feeling of having rights over other people

This implies that the self-centered person believes he or she has the right to receive preferential treatment and certain privileges over others. This is manifested in displays of pride, vanity and in the moments when demands that certain privileges and perks be granted

12. Machiavellianism

He Machiavellianism It is defined as the tendency to use other people for one’s own benefit. This behavior reinforces in the egocentric person strong feelings of envy and is only interested in other people to the extent that he can use them to obtain something in return.

13. Control over others (manipulation)

The egocentric personality requires a high amount of power to compensate for the underlying feeling of insecurity. The egocentric individual tries to force other people to offer their unconditional admiration through control over your ideas, actions or behaviors; through manipulation or emotional blackmail.

14. Distortion in verbal expression

It is common to refer to this characteristic as “egocentrism of language.” The fundamental objective of language based on I is trying to impress and increase your own self-esteem. The communicative function of language takes a backseat. The communication style It is characterized by a constant focus on oneself and for being unable to listen to the interlocutor.

15. Loner and pessimist

The egocentric person, finally, is characterized by suffering feelings of existential emptiness and sadness Loneliness is one of the tolls of the egocentric personality, since little by little they are rejected by close people (friends, family, colleagues).