Do today's young people really think they are so extraordinary? An examination of secular trends in narcissism and self-enhancement

Psychol Sci. 2008 Feb;19(2):181-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-9280.2008.02065.x.

Abstract

The present research investigated secular trends in narcissism and self-enhancement over the past three decades. Despite recent claims about the impact of the "self-esteem movement" on the current generation of young people, we found no evidence that college students' scores on the Narcissistic Personality Inventory increased from the 1980s through 2007 (N= 26,867), although we did find small changes in specific facets of narcissism. Similarly, we found no evidence that high school students' level of self-enhancement, defined by the discrepancy between their perceived intelligence and their actual academic achievements, increased from 1976 to 2006 (N= 410,527). These results cast doubt on the belief that today's young people have increasingly inflated impressions of themselves compared with previous generations.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Narcissism*
  • Personality Inventory
  • Schools
  • Self Concept*
  • Students / psychology