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What Is Social Narcissism?

Debra Barnhart
Debra Barnhart

Social narcissism is the use of social media as an outlet to promote egotistical tendencies like preoccupation with social status, physical appearance, career success, and financial status. Through their profiles and postings, social narcissists can be easy to recognize on social media sites. Some studies indicate that social media may promote social narcissism. Narcissism has been variously defined as a cultural phenomenon and a psychological disease.

Social media sites are a great outlet for social narcissism. Social narcissists are not driven by the desire to connect with other people. They are more concerned with acquiring hundreds of social media friends and impressing others with their popularity. A flashy profile photo taken by a professional photographer is another indication of a social narcissist. The social narcissist’s posts will most likely catalog career successes, social status, and events attended. The grandiose belief that everyone is very interested in his or her life is the driving factor behind the social narcissist’s posts on social networking sites.

Social media sites are often said to promote egotism.
Social media sites are often said to promote egotism.

Studies show there is not a higher percentage of narcissists using social media when compared to the general population, so social media does not attract narcissists in unusual numbers. Some college students reported feeling more narcissistic during social media use, but this does not make them full-blown narcissists. Among high school students, researchers have found that some students on social media sites are overly concerned with physical appearance and social status. Of course these characteristics are common among many teenagers. Research has also suggested that social media may help shy teens fit in with their peers.

Symptoms of narcissism include focusing only on one's self, lacking guilt and an inability to empathize.
Symptoms of narcissism include focusing only on one's self, lacking guilt and an inability to empathize.

The term narcissism has been used to describe cultures. In his 1978 book, The Culture of Narcissism, Christopher Lasch presented the idea that after World War II, Americans began to exhibit more narcissistic traits. He suggested that Americans were becoming more concerned with the acquisition of belongings and less concerned with basic human values. It is not surprising that the term narcissism has been used in connection with social media. The very nature of the social media environment encourages some level of narcissism, because it invites people to share their activities and thoughts.

Social narcissists are driven by the desire to impress others with their own popularity.
Social narcissists are driven by the desire to impress others with their own popularity.

Narcissistic traits can be present in everyone to some degree, and social narcissism is not necessary a disease. The clinical name for the psychiatric syndrome is Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD). Traits for this psychological disorder include an exaggerated sense of self-importance, a sense of entitlement, an obsession with social status, and a willingness to take advantage of people. The narcissistic person is unable to feel compassion for other people and is well versed in using people to further his or her ambitions. When narcissism becomes a clinical disorder, it adversely affects the narcissist’s relationships, career, self-esteem and happiness.

Discussion Comments

Lostnfound

I've seen people I'm certain were social narcissists on friends' social media pages. Occasionally, they will ask to friend me, but I decline because I don't know them personally, and what I see on their pages, I don't like.

I'm pretty careful about who I friend anyway. There are actually only one or two pictures of me on my social media page, which is the way I want it. I am not interesting in having "attagirl" friends. You know, the only time they talk to you is when you're giving them compliments. Otherwise, they have no use for you.

Grivusangel

I'd even go so far as to say a lot of the trolls on social media and forums are probably social narcissists. They thrive on the attention and making other people upset. They exercise control in that way.

I also think a lot of the drama queens/kings on social media probably have narcissistic tendencies, anyway. They love the attention that creating drama gives them. Again, it's a control issue. They tend to have a lot of friends, and often exploit those friends by posting the "woe is me" updates, which gets them the concerned "Are you OK" posts in return. This strokes their egos. They're important now. And yes, that can be narcissistic, too.

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    • Social media sites are often said to promote egotism.
      By: olly
      Social media sites are often said to promote egotism.
    • Symptoms of narcissism include focusing only on one's self, lacking guilt and an inability to empathize.
      By: gromovataya
      Symptoms of narcissism include focusing only on one's self, lacking guilt and an inability to empathize.
    • Social narcissists are driven by the desire to impress others with their own popularity.
      By: Jasmin Merdan
      Social narcissists are driven by the desire to impress others with their own popularity.
    • Outside of environmental causes of narcissism, many researchers and psychologists believe that genes are possibly one of the causes of narcissism.
      By: iofoto
      Outside of environmental causes of narcissism, many researchers and psychologists believe that genes are possibly one of the causes of narcissism.
    • A person with social narcissism try to maintain focus on themselves during a conversation.
      By: dmitrimaruta
      A person with social narcissism try to maintain focus on themselves during a conversation.
    • Social narcissism may cause people to engage in affairs outside their relationship.
      By: avecfort
      Social narcissism may cause people to engage in affairs outside their relationship.
    • Social media can be used as a narcissistic channel when people use the site to overly brag about themselves or their children.
      By: majesticca
      Social media can be used as a narcissistic channel when people use the site to overly brag about themselves or their children.
    • Narcissists don't care about the feelings of others.
      By: JackF
      Narcissists don't care about the feelings of others.