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Me, Myself, and I

Joseph Stalin a Short Biography (by Joseph Stalin)
Three Novels (by Scott F. Fitzgerald)
The Picture of Dorian Gray (by Wilde, Oscar)
George Eliot: Middlemarch (by Daiches, David)

Narcissism, the pursuit of gratification from vanity or egotistic admiration of one’s own attributes, hails from Greek mythology. The story highlights the young, handsome Narcissus, who fell in love with his own image, which was reflected in a pool of water after he rejected the advances of the nymph Echo. Today, the word narcissism is widely used to describe excessive or erotic interest in oneself and one’s physical appearance.

A concept in psychoanalytic theory, narcissism was popularly introduced in Sigmund Freud’s essay “On Narcissism.” Some of the traits associated with this medically diagnosed personality disorder include extreme selfishness and an insatiable appetite for attention. Narcissists are also prone to extreme feelings of jealousy and behave as if they deserve preferential treatment. Narcissists also commonly exaggerate their own achievements, talents, and importance.

The Psychological Care & Healing Center says that narcissism is believed to arise primarily from early neglect or trauma in childhood, as no specific genetic pattern has been demonstrated.

With the rise of social media in recent years, we have also entered the age of the selfie—a self-portrait photo, typically taken with a self-held digital camera or camera phone or supported by a selfie stick.

Many selfie takers are always eager to strike poses and often use filters to enhance their looks. Knowing the most ideal way to pose to obtain the most flattering look, they pose in front of national landmarks, tall buildings, and on cliffs, bridges, and beyond.

Researchers in social psychology have been trying to comprehend why this trend has become so prevalent in recent years. A recent article in Huffpost states that an Ohio State University study revealed that men who posted more photos of themselves online happened to score higher in measures of narcissism and psychopathy. It also found that editing photos of oneself was associated with higher levels of self-objectification.

The article also states that previous studies have linked heavy Facebook use with low self-esteem and narcissism. According to one study, it’s not the spending of excessive amounts of time on Facebook, but having an unrealistically large number of friends that is correlated with having a narcissistic personality.

In defense of that argument, Health.com cited a Brigham Young University study that identified three categories of people who snap and share selfies. They are communicators, autobiographers, and self-publicists.

Many in the psychology field have pointed to celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Lady Gaga, and Madonna for possessing narcissistic qualities. Others include Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, and most dictators.

There are also many characters from fiction who demonstrate narcissistic behaviors including Jay Gatsby in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Dorian in The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde; Rosamond in Middlemarch by George Eliot, and Scarlett O’ Hara in Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell.

By Regina Molaro