Distinguishing Between Egocentric & Narcissistic Personalities

Egocentric vs Narcissistic

While both egocentric and narcissistic individuals may seem similar, there are key differences between the two. Being egocentric means that a person is solely focused on their own needs, whereas being narcissistic refers to someone with an inflated sense of self-worth. Both types of people may believe that they are the center of attention, but narcissistic individuals are affected more by the opinions of others and crave their approval, while egocentric individuals do not operate in this manner. In this article, we will examine the differences between these two character traits in depth.

What is Egocentric?

When someone is egocentric, they are extremely focused on their own needs and find it difficult to understand and empathize with others. This is because they cannot distinguish between themselves and others. An egocentric person sees the world from their own perspective, which can be considered a cognitive bias as it causes them to distort reality.

Egocentrism can be observed in different stages of a person’s life, but psychologist Jean Piaget notes that it is particularly prominent in young children. As a child grows up, being egocentric can become a disadvantage, as they may struggle with empathy and accepting the perspectives of others, potentially leading to anxiety and tension. Egocentric adults often have low self-esteem, and can seem antisocial as they find it difficult to communicate and relate to others.

What is Narcissistic?

A narcissistic person has an extreme sense of self-worth, and while they may be able to understand others, they often choose not to due to their self-absorption. Abnormal psychologists sometimes consider narcissism to be a mental disorder, known as narcissistic personality disorder.

Narcissistic individuals tend to be ambitious and energetic, which can enable them to acquire leadership positions with ease. However, they require constant praise and admiration from others, and enjoy being the center of attention. One negative trait of narcissistic people is their lack of accountability; they often refuse to take responsibility for their actions and instead blame others. They may also be emotionally unstable, aggressive, and arrogant.

Key Takeaways

• Egocentric individuals are primarily focused on their own needs and struggle to understand and empathize with others, while narcissistic individuals have an inflated sense of self-worth and can understand others but choose not to.
• Both egocentric and narcissistic individuals may enjoy being the center of attention, but narcissistic individuals crave the approval of others, while egocentric individuals do not.
• Egocentrism is not considered a mental disorder, but narcissism can sometimes be diagnosed as one, with narcissistic personality disorder being a more severe form of egocentrism.