Can Narcissism Be Good For You Analysis

Humanity is facing an ideological disease. Narcissism, the extreme selfishness and obsessiveness with themselves has become more and more prevalent within modern society. As history and technology has progressed the narcissistic tendencies of society has increased. Society has promoted these tendencies through television, music, social media, and world leaders. The rise in narcissism among citizens has lead to an increase in their isolation. Becoming dismissive towards each other and opposing viewpoints. They grow to believe that their opinions are more important and ignore those who oppose them, creating a divide which has become prominent during the election season. Each political party is at each others throats with their ideologies, often

Some believe that there is no problem, but rather beneficial to individuals. In Neel Burton’s article, “Can Narcissism Be Good for You?”, he brings up a study conducted by psychologists Fritzon and Board at the University of Surrey. These studies showed that “narcissistic personality disorder (as well as histrionic personality disorder and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder) are more common in high-level executives.” While these individuals narcissism led them to great success, it still only accounts for a small percentage of narcissists. It may lead to a certain level of success, however the separation it causes more harm and separation than good. It can be seen, especially through recent events such as the United States politics, that people seem to be divided when it comes to political, religious, and moral values. This separation can be linked back to narcissism. In Keith Campbell and Jean Twenge’s article, “Narcissism Unleashed”, they discuss the negative aspects of narcissism. The more people become obsessed with their own views and opinions, the more they begin to shut out other ideas and concepts from those whose viewpoints oppose their own. As their self focus increases, they become part of “...the dark side of individualism — freedom without responsibility, relationships without personal sacrifice, and positive self-views without grounding in reality”. Without the

Teaching humility is the start to this increasing problem of narcissism within communities across the globe. Some have already been teaching this ideology. Throughout many religions across the globe, humility is often taught. For example, in Christianity they teach their followers to be loving and kind, to values others above themselves. Even though these practices may not be the case with some Christians, it is still a core value of the religion. Doctor of Ministry, Thomas A. Tarrants, discusses these values in his article “Pride and Humility.” He states that “As we refuse to be preoccupied with ourselves and our own importance and seek to love and serve others, it will reorient us from self-centeredness to other-centeredness...” As individuals lean away from the narcissistic values society have become accustomed to, the culture will become more helpful and loving to those within their communities. This change in ideology would bring people closer together no matter their political and religious beliefs, gender, or economic class. Don Emerson Davis and Joshua N. Hook also discuss this idea in their article, “Measuring Humility and Its Positive Effects.” They conducted research to examine humility in different relationships such as supervisors and supervisees, church leaders and members, married couples, and even with therapists and their clients. Through their