Study Notes on Narcissism

Article by Arthur Brooks, published on February 13, 2016.
Discussion originates from a personal anecdote regarding a quiz on narcissism taken by his son’s friend.
Mention of the quiz leading to his son noting that the friend received a maximum score.

Historical context:
- Previously, discussions around personal psychological struggles revolved primarily around self-esteem issues.
- Inadequate self-esteem was believed to underpin various difficulties individuals faced.
Shift in concern towards narcissism since the 1970s.
- The rise of self-love culture is likened to an uncontrollable force (e.g., Godzilla rampaging through Tokyo).

Reference to a 2010 study published in Social Psychological and Personality Science, showing significant increases in narcissistic traits among college students.
- Statistical finding:
- The percentage of college students exhibiting narcissistic traits increased by over 50% from the early 1980s to 30% in contemporary settings.
Comparison between rising levels of narcissism and obesity since the 1980s.

Narcissism observed at personal, interpersonal, and political levels.
- Example: Behaviour of political figures (e.g., Donald Trump) as indicative of narcissistic traits.
Negative implications of narcissism:
- While narcissists report high personal satisfaction, they negatively affect the lives of those around them.
- Connection between narcissism, low honesty, and increased aggression was cited.

Narcissists often struggle with commitment to romantic partners.
- This struggle attributed to a sense of superiority over others.
- Noted that narcissism exists on a spectrum; many individuals may experience narcissistic traits without being full-blown narcissists.

Exploration of philosophical perspectives on narcissism.
Reference to Jean-Jacques Rousseau's concept of amour-propre, translated as self-love founded on social comparison.
- Rousseau considered this form of self-love as unnatural and unhealthy.
Warning against the pitfalls of seeking social approval, which can lead to a wasted life.

Comparison of the myth of Narcissus:
- Traditional myth involves falling in love with one's reflection.
- Modern analogy suggests falling in love with curated online portrayals (e.g., Instagram).
Social media serves as a catalyst for narcissism, facilitating patterns of behavior identified as grandiose exhibitionism.

Definition of healthy self-love: Known as amour de soi as per Rousseau’s philosophy.
- Healthy self-love contributes to intrinsic well-being.
- Contrasts with the transient satisfaction derived from superficial admiration.
Emphasis on living fully in the present and enjoying personal experiences devoid of social media validation.
- Examples provided include enjoying a beautiful hike alone or offering gratitude over one's sleeping child without seeking social media recognition.

Individual self-improvement strategies:
- Step 1: Take the Narcissistic Personality Inventory test.
- Reflect on results and consider personal identity and values: "Is this the person I want to be?"
- Step 2: Discard emotional “junk food” feeding self-obsession.
- Create a list of opinions to disregard, particularly those from critics and flatterers.
- Daily review of this list is advised, aiming to reduce concern over external validation.
- Step 3: Implement a social media fast.
- Engage in social media to communicate, uplift, or learn rather than promote oneself.
- Emphasize the potential gains from letting go of a narcissistic reflection.

Acknowledgement of the difficulty of these practices but an encouragement to pursue them.

Closing statement reinforces the belief in individual capability: "After all, you’re the best."