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Study: college students more narcissistic |
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Tuesday, 06 March 2007 |
by DYLAN CLAYTON
Narcissistic behavior is on the rise among U.S. college students, according to a nationwide San Diego State University study.
“Narcissism
is a sense of entitlement,” Dr. Dan L. Jones, director of Counseling
and Psychological Services at Appalachian State University, said.
“People suffering from narcissism feel they should not have to wait in
line at the movies. They feel they should not have to struggle or work
their way up the ladder. They feel superior and self-absorbed.”
The study, performed by professor Jean Twenge, reviewed responses of
16,475 college students in an assessment titled, “The Narcissistic
Personality Inventory.”
Appalachian faculty and students view the issue of narcissism differently.
Julia C. Fondren, senior psychology major points out that narcissism is often a factor of low self-esteem.
“[Narcissism] is a personality disorder that portrays someone as being
full of themselves with a giant ego. Usually those people actually
suffer from low self-esteem and are trying to cover that up,” Fondren
said.
Jones attributes narcissistic behavior among college students to three
possible causes: parents, the mental health community and the media.
He uses the term “helicopter parent” to describe parents’ relationships with their students.
“This means parents try to do everything for their students,” he said.
“If the child isn’t starting on the soccer team, they talk to the
coach. If they don’t get the lead role in the school play, the parent
argues with the director. They hover like a helicopter, trying to
provide but not requiring responsibility.”
Judith M. Haas, director of the Office of Student Conduct, agrees.
“The students coming [to college] today are the students who are most
protected,” she said. “They’re the students whose parents had “Baby on
Board” signs, sunscreen for their children and baby sunglasses.
Non-competitive sports were introduced where everyone wins. It’s not a
bad thing, but there were lessons you used to learn when you weren’t so
protected or you didn’t win.”
Jones also puts some blame on the mental health community.
“I think, perhaps, we’ve gone too far with the emphasis on self-esteem,” he said.
Television programming and an increased concentration on technology may also contribute to college students’ narcissism.
Shows, including MTV’s “The Real World” and “Road Rules,” often feature
cast members who are narcissistic. Conflicts result when no one feels
responsible – a characteristic of narcissistic behavior, Jones said.
The young adults who watch view this behavior as normal.
“Technology is wonderful, but as we continue to advance, we shouldn’t
lose interpersonal communication,” Haas said. “If you communicate
through a computer all the time, that hinders your ability to progress.”
Although narcissism may be on the rise among college students, not all students have the qualities to such an extreme degree.
“There are a lot of altruistic students. Many do things such as give up their Spring Break plans to help others,” Jones said.
The focus of these qualities on college students is nothing new from Jones’ perspective.
“Every generation seems to be critical of the younger generation,” he
said. “In the early [1960s] there was a movie “Bye Bye Birdie,” with a
quote: ‘Why can’t they be like we were, perfect in every way? What’s
wrong with kids today?’ That reminds me of this.”
Dean of Students Susie L. Greene said sometimes narcissism might be confused with experiences.
“Our students today are coming to us with so many life experiences. I think that difference can be
viewed as narcissism,” Greene said.
Some of young Americans’ favorite mediums may be an indicator of the change towards
self-fulfillment.
“There is iTunes, MySpace, YouTube. Everything is I, me, you,” Jones
said. “You can update what you did last night and become a
mini-celebrity among your friends. The more friends you have, the more
status you have.”
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