Word of the Day, September 03: ‘Narcissism’

Word of the Day: Narcissism

Pronunciation: UK /ˈnɑː.sɪ.sɪ.zəm/ US /ˈnɑːr.sə.sɪ.zəm/

Meaning

Narcissism refers to excessive self-focus, self-importance or preoccupation with oneself.

Examples for daily usage

• His constant need for praise was beginning to look less like confidence and more like narcissism.
• The article examines how narcissism can affect friendships and romantic relationships.
• Her confidence should not be confused with narcissism.

Origin and history

The word narcissism comes from ‘Narcissus’, the beautiful youth of Greek mythology who became associated with excessive self-love. The best-known version of his story appears in the Roman poet Ovid's ‘Metamorphoses’. In it, Narcissus rejects the advances of others, including the nymph Echo, before becoming captivated by his own reflection in a pool.

The psychological use of the term is much more recent. English narcissism entered the language in the early 20th century from German ‘Narzissismus’. German psychiatrist Paul Näcke coined the German term in 1899, building on a comparison made by British writer and psychologist Havelock Ellis in 1898 between certain sexual behaviour and the myth of Narcissus. The English noun narcissism is recorded from 1905.

Sigmund Freud later gave narcissism an important place in psychoanalytic theory, helping establish the word as part of modern psychological vocabulary.

Cultural significance and modern usage

Few psychological words have travelled so easily from specialist language into everyday conversation. Today, narcissist is often used for someone who seems arrogant, self-centred or excessively concerned with attention and admiration.

Psychologists, however, make an important distinction between ordinary narcissistic traits and narcissistic personality disorder. Someone can be vain, boastful or attention-seeking without meeting the criteria for a personality disorder. Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is characterised by a persistent pattern that affects different areas of a person's life.

Research also commonly distinguishes between grandiose and vulnerable forms of narcissism. Grandiose narcissism is associated with outward confidence, dominance and attention-seeking, while vulnerable narcissism can involve sensitivity to criticism, insecurity, distrust and negative emotions. These presentations can also overlap, particularly at higher levels of narcissism.

The word is also frequently linked to social media, selfies and online self-presentation. But there is no simple rule that frequent posting, talking about oneself or using words such as "I" and "me" makes someone narcissistic.

One large study involving more than 4,800 participants found no meaningful association between first-person singular pronoun use and narcissism.

Interesting facts

Harry Potter connection: Narcissa Malfoy’s name is the feminine form of Narcissus, the mythical figure associated with narcissism. 

Narcissism is named after a mythological figure. Narcissus became the symbol behind the modern idea of excessive self-love.

The word has both clinical and non-clinical uses.

Examples from literature and movies

• “...there’s suggestion of acute narcissism, a complete lack of empathy, and a pronounced inclination toward...” — Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011)
• “Usually a case of malignant narcissism brought on during childhood.” — Team America: World Police (2004)

Synonyms

• Self-importance
• Vanity
• Self-centredness
• Egotism
• Conceit
• Self-absorption

Antonyms

• Humility
• Selflessness
• Modesty
• Generosity
• Altruism
• Empathy

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