The egocentric personality and the set of egocentric behaviours are usually linked to certain behavioural patterns, such as ambition, arrogance or exhibitionism.

Being able to recognize the personality traits and behavioral manifestations of the self-centered personality will give you the resources to identify this type of person .

Self-centered personality: 15 traits for detecting self-centeredness

Usually, self-centred people use this characteristic as a psychological barrier that prevents them from acting on the consequences of their actions on others. Frequently, the origin of this trait can be found in their family experience, generally in an environment made up of parents with little affection, who project onto the child their desires for greatness and omnipotence .

But what exactly is the self-centered personality like? The following 15 traits are characteristic of self-centered people.

Distorted self-image

1. False self-confidence

Although the external image of the egocentric may appear to be one of great self-confidence, the reality is different. Self-centered people are often, in fact, insecure. According to the German psychologist Erich Fromm, this is due to a defence mechanism (1991). They project an artificial self-confidence and seem convinced of everything they say, which is why they can be persuasive and be able to act as if they have great self-esteem .

2.Excess self-esteem

It is observed that they overestimate themselves. However, the researcher D.M. Svarkic maintains that this attitude may indicate just the opposite: a fragile self-esteem that they try to compensate by efforts to be respected, recognized and admired by other people.

3.Feelings of greatness

The egocentric person believes that he or she possesses great talents and special abilities , and thinks that his or her problems and needs can only be attended to by people with great capacity and prestige. The environment of the self-centred person usually uses some expressions to refer to this attitude, such as “he/she thinks he/she is a diva”.

4.Ambition and unreasonable expectations

As a result of their feelings of greatness, self-centered people may be constantly focused on their fantasies of power , success, love, sex, etc. It is not uncommon for them to think that at any moment their professional life will hatch and they will become millionaires.

5.Distortion of reality

The egocentric only accepts the reality that fits his reveries of grandeur . He tends not to give credit or simply rejects those aspects of his life that question his prestige and his image as a perfect and admirable person.

Little empathy

6.Is not able to recognize the feelings of others

The poor manifestation of feelings and affective gestures towards the people around him (being sensitive would make him feel inferior) contrasts with the need of the egocentric to be admired, flattered and respected. He shows little sensitivity towards others .

7.Difficulty in assessing the personal characteristics of the people around them

This point generates a total lack of commitment, empathy and affectivity between the egocentric person and his/her close relatives.

Hypersensitivity to the evaluation of others

8.Overreacts to criticism

Although he may not express it directly, the individual with an egocentric personality is very likely to be offended by any criticism (Kohut, 1972). He considers that others do not have enough level or authority to judge him, and that criticism is probably due to the envy he arouses. They tend to be excessively susceptible .

9.Compares himself with others and is envious

You are concerned about feeling valued as better than others . Indirectly, the self-centred person expresses feelings of envy , as he/she is not able to accept the success of others. Neither are they able to accept help from another person. This last point is paradoxical, since although they need to receive praise and respect from others, they are unable to accept any kind of help.

Difficulties in interpersonal relationships

10.Exhibitionism

The egocentric personality also manifests itself in certain attitudes such as the motivation for the pleasure of feeling flattered and admired . This is usually observed in the excessive desire to be rewarded with flattery by others, and also a permanent need to hog the attention. For this reason, they tend to be very inclined to hold positions of public impact from which they can draw attention and admiration (Akhtar and Thompson, 1982).

11.Sense of entitlement over others

This implies that the self-centred person believes that he or she is entitled to preferential treatment and certain privileges over others. This manifests itself in displays of pride, vanity and in moments when demands that certain privileges and perks be granted to him/her.

12.Machiavellianism

Machiavellianism is defined as the tendency to use other people for one’s own benefit. This behaviour reinforces strong feelings of envy in the egocentric person, and he/she is only interested in other people to the extent that he/she can use them to obtain something in return.

13.Control over others (manipulation)

An egocentric personality needs a high degree of power to compensate for the feeling of insecurity in the background. The egocentric individual tries to force other people to offer them their unconditional admiration through control over their ideas, actions or behaviour; through manipulation or emotional blackmail.

14.Verbal expression distortion

It is common to refer to this characteristic as “egocentrism of language”. The fundamental aim of language based on the I is to try to impress and increase their own self-esteem. The communicative function of language takes a back seat. The communicative style is characterised by a constant focus on oneself , and by being unable to listen to the interlocutor.

15.Lonely and pessimistic

The egocentric person, finally, is characterized by suffering feelings of existential emptiness and sadness . Loneliness is one of the tolls of the egocentric personality, as they are gradually rejected by those close to them (friends, family, colleagues).