narcissism

narcissism
narcissist, narcist, n.narcissistic, narcistic, adj.
/nahr"seuh siz'em/, n.
1. inordinate fascination with oneself; excessive self-love; vanity.
2. Psychoanal. erotic gratification derived from admiration of one's own physical or mental attributes, being a normal condition at the infantile level of personality development.
Also, narcism /nahr"siz euhm/.
[1815-25; < G Narzissismus. See NARCISSUS, -ISM]
Syn. 1. self-centeredness, smugness, egocentrism.

* * *

Mental disorder characterized by extreme self-absorption, an exaggerated sense of self-importance, and a need for attention and admiration from others.

First identified by Havelock Ellis in 1898, the disorder is named for the mythological Narcissus, who fell in love with his own reflection. In addition to an inflated self-image and addiction to fantasy, narcissism is characterized by an unusual coolness and composure, which is shaken only when the narcissistic confidence is threatened, and by the tendency to take others for granted or to exploit them. According to Sigmund Freud, narcissism is a normal stage in children's development, but it is considered a disorder when it occurs after puberty.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • narcissism — arcissism n. An exceptional interest in and admiration for oneself. Syn: self love, narcism. [WordNet 1.5] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • narcissism — index pride Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • narcissism — (n.) 1905, from Ger. Narzissismus, coined 1899 (in Die sexuellen Perversitäten ), by German psychiatrist Paul Näcke (1851 1913), on a comparison suggested 1898 by Havelock Ellis, from Gk. Narkissos, name of a beautiful youth in mythology (Ovid,… …   Etymology dictionary

  • narcissism — ► NOUN ▪ excessive or erotic interest in oneself and one s physical appearance. DERIVATIVES narcissist noun narcissistic adjective. ORIGIN from Narcissus, a beautiful youth in Greek mythology who fell in love with his reflection in a pool …   English terms dictionary

  • narcissism — [när′sə siz΄əm; ] chiefly Brit [, när sis′iz΄əm] n. [Ger Narzissismus (< Narziss, NARCISSUS) + ismus, ISM] 1. self love; interest, often excessive interest, in one s own appearance, comfort, importance, abilities, etc. 2. Psychoanalysis arrest …   English World dictionary

  • Narcissism — Narcissus by Caravaggio (Galleria Nazionale d Arte Antica, Rome) Narcissism is a term with a wide range of meanings, depending on whether it is used to describe a central concept of psychoanalytic theory, a mental illness, a social or cultural… …   Wikipedia

  • Narcissism —    The Greek myth of Narcissus, the god who destroyed himself by gazing continuously at his own image reflected in the pool, speaks so powerfully to the human condition that the concept of narcissism lay easily available for discovery. And during …   Historical dictionary of Psychiatry

  • narcissism — Used in everyday life to indicate self love and egoism, the concept has a more technical meaning to orthodox psychoanalytic theory. Primary narcissism refers to the love of self which, Freud argues, must precede the ability to love others. This… …   Dictionary of sociology

  • narcissism — [[t]nɑ͟ː(r)sɪsɪzəm[/t]] N UNCOUNT (disapproval) Narcissism is the habit of always thinking about yourself and admiring yourself. [FORMAL] Those who suffer from narcissism become self absorbed or chronic show offs. Syn: self love …   English dictionary

  • narcissism — 1. A state in which one interprets and regards everything in relation to oneself and not to other persons or things. 2. Self love, which may include sexual attraction toward onself. SEE ALSO: autoeroticism. SYN: self love. [Narkissos, G. myth.… …   Medical dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”