Narcissism: A Review Of Related Literature

Review of Related Literature
Long before the term was ever known, a form of excessive self-love, self-admiration self-focus, and sense of self-importance have existed among humankind. From the Greek mythology, the story of a young man named Narcissus is where the term “narcissism” came from. The story tells about a young man so self-consumed and self-admiring that he rejects others, falling in love with his own reflection, leading him to his own demise. Narcissus’ story appears relevant today with its moral. The downfall from being too consumed with the self, lacking the healthy relationship with others serves as good learning standpoint.

Narcissism is recognized as an inherent self-interest and delusional views toward self that is directed towards satisfying the self from the admiration of one’s own attributes (APA, as cited in Horton et al., 2006). Despite this, narcissism serves as a layer to protect and boost self-esteem; it is identified as a personality trait that is normally distributed (Raskin & Hall, as cited in Horton et al., 2006). Campbell (2009) in his article of Narcissism and Romantic Attraction acknowledged the function of narcissism which is designed to regulate self-esteem. However, Raskin and Hall (as cited in Horton et al., 2006) identified narcissism as pathological once it is on extremely high levels. Narcissists lack the capability to build or create healthy functioning relationships with others (Horton et al., 2006). The inability of a narcissist to build relationships with others is associated with the traits and characteristics they possess. Narcissists often thrive on the attention and approval of others (Campbell & Twenge, 2013). One conduct manifested by a narcissist is having strong feelings of self-importance (King, as cited in Fulton & Holman, 2009). Campbell (as cited in Fulton & Holman, 2009) suggests that narcissists are self-oriented individuals, stressing that narcissists on their interpersonal relationships primarily puts the self first and ignores the vital aspects of the relationship (e.g. intimacy, mutuality.). Such feelings of elevating the self first is damaging to the relationship. A narcissist cares only for the self and things beyond the self are not given any importance. Narcissism is unhealthy to the span of the interpersonal relationship as the individuals with narcissism are self-centered and are only concerned with their self to boost and feed their ego, failing on intimacy and warmth (Campbell, as cited in Fulton &