Egocentric personality: 15 characteristic traits

We review the basic characteristics of the egocentric person.

The egocentric personality and the set of egocentric behaviors are often 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 for identify this type of person.

Egocentric personality: 15 traits to detect egocentrism

Typically, egocentric people use this trait as a psychological barrier. psychological barrier that prevents them from acting with the consequences of their actions on others in mind. Often, the origin of this trait can be found in their family experience, usually in an environment composed of parents with little affection, who project on the child their desires for grandeur and omnipotence.

But what exactly does the egocentric personality look like? The following 15 traits are characteristic of egocentric people.

Distorted self-image

False self-confidence

Although the external image of the egocentric person may appear to be self-confident, 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 a contrived self-confidence and seem convinced of everything they say, which is why they can be persuasive and capable of being persuasive. They can be persuasive and are able to act as if they have great self-esteem..

2. Excessive self-esteem

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

3. Feelings of greatness

The egocentric person believes he/she possesses great talents and great talents and special abilitiesand thinks that his or her problems and needs can only be attended to by people of great ability and prestige. The egocentric person's environment usually uses some expressions to refer to this attitude, such as "he/she thinks he/she is a divo/a".

4. Ambition and excessive expectations

As a result of their feelings of grandeur, egocentric people may be constantly focused on their fantasies. may be constantly focused on their fantasies of power, success, success, love, sex, etc.success, love, sex, etcetera. 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 only accepts the reality that fits their dreams of grandeur.. He tends not to give credit or simply rejects those aspects of his life that 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 affectionate gestures towards the people around him (being sensitive would make him feel inferior) contrasts with the egocentric's need to be admired, flattered and respected. He shows himself to be not very sensitive to others..

7. Difficulty to value the personal characteristics of the people around him/her.

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

Hypersensitivity to the evaluation of others.

8. Overreacts excessively to the criticism he/she receives

Although he/she may not express it directly, the individual with egocentric personality is very prone to take offense at any criticism (Kohut, 1972). (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 tend to be overly susceptible.

9. Compares him/herself to others and is envious.

Worried about feeling valued as better than others. In an indirect way, the egocentric person expresses feelings of envyThey are not able to accept the success of others. Nor are they able 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 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 compliments from others, and also a permanent need for attention. For this reason, they tend to show a strong tendency to occupy positions of public impact, from which they can be the object of attention and admiration (Akhtar and Thompson, 1982).

11. Feeling of entitlement over other people

This implies that the egocentric person believes he/she is entitled to receive preferential treatment and certain privileges over others. This is manifested in displays of pride, vanity and at times when he/she demands to be granted certain privileges. and vanity, and in the moments in which he/she demands to be granted certain privileges and perks..

12. Machiavellianism

The Machiavellianism 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. feelings of envyHe 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 needs a high quota of power to be able to compensate the feeling of insecurity in the background. The egocentric individual tries to force other people to offer them their unconditional admiration. unconditional admiration through control over their ideas, actions or behaviors; through manipulation or emotional blackmail.

14. Distortion in verbal expression

It is common to refer to this characteristic as "language egocentrism". The fundamental objective of language based on the ego is to try to impress and increase their own self-esteem. The communicative function of language takes a back seat. The communicative style is characterized by a constant focus on oneself and an inability to listen to the interlocutor.The communicative style is characterized by a constant focus on oneself and an inability to listen to the interlocutor.

15. Lonely and pessimistic

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