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.

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

Egocentric personality: 15 traits to detect egocentricity

Usually, self-centered 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. wishes 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 be a great confidence in himself, the reality is different. Egocentric people are often actually insecure. According to the German psychologist Erich Fromm, this is due to a

Defense mechanism (1991). They project a artificial self-confidence and they seem convinced of everything they say, that is why can be persuasive and able to act like they have high self-esteem.

2. Excess self-esteem

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

3. Feelings of greatness

The self-centered person believes that he possesses great talents and special abilities, and thinks that their problems and needs can only be cared for by people with great capacity and prestige. The environment of the egocentric person usually uses some expressions to refer to this attitude, such as "one believes a divo / a".

4. Ambition and excessive expectations

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

5. Distortion of reality

The egocentric just accept the reality that fits your dreams of grandeur. He tends to not give credit 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. Not able to recognize the feelings of others

The poor manifestation of feelings and affective gestures towards the people around them (showing would make him feel inferior) contrasts with the egocentric's need to be admired, flattered, and respected. It shows not very sensitive to others.

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

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

Hypersensitivity to the evaluation of others

8. Overreacts to criticism

Although it 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 enough level or authority to judge him, and that the criticism is probably due to the envy he arouses. They usually show overly susceptible.

9. Compares himself with others and feels envy

You worry about feeling valued as better than the others. Indirectly, the self-centered person expresses feelings of envy, since it is not able to accept the success of others. They are also unable to accept the help of another person. This last point is paradoxical, since although they need to receive praise and respect from others, they are unable to accept 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 being flattered and admired. This is often seen in an excessive desire to expect to be rewarded with praise from others, as well as an ongoing need for 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 a right over other people

This implies that the egocentric person believes he has the right to receive preferential treatment and certain privileges with respect to others. This manifests itself in displays of pride, vanity, and in the moments when requires certain privileges and perks to be granted.

12. Machiavellianism

The Machiavellianism it is defined as the tendency to use other people for personal gain. This behavior reinforces strong egocentric people feelings of envy, and he is only interested in other people to the extent that he can use them to get something in return.

13. Control over others (manipulation)

The egocentric personality requires a high quota of power to be able to compensate for the feeling of insecurity background. The egocentric individual tries to force other people to offer them 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 "language egocentricity." The fundamental objective of language based on me is trying to impress and increase your own self-esteem. The communicative function of language takes a back seat. The communicative style characterized by a constant focus on oneself, and for being unable to hear the interlocutor.

15. Lonely and pessimistic

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