Agency Dictionary
Narcissism
nounPronunciation: /ˈnɑːr.sɪ.sɪz.əm/
In Portuguese: Narcisismo
Psychology & MindWhat does “Narcissism” mean?
Excessive self-love, self-admiration, and egocentric preoccupation with one's own desires and social status.
Etymology
From German Narzissismus (today usually Narzissmus), built from Narziss (the name Narcissus) and the suffix -ismus. German Narzissismus was introduced in psychological writing in the late 19th century, drawing on the Greek myth of Narkissos, the youth who became infatuated with his own reflection in water. The term was adopted into English psychoanalytic vocabulary in the early 20th century.
Synonyms
- self-love
- vanity
- egocentrism
- self-absorption
Word family
- narcissist
- narcissistic
Usage examples
Even fewer people seem to realize that this is a dangerous loop not only because of spiritual narcissism but also because this guilt can turn into hate and exclusion of others.
Concept
Source editions
Where this entry comes from in the Agency editorial.
Words of the same theme
- vocationnoun
- A strong innate inclination or sense of purpose toward a particular career, craft, or calling.
- Synchronicitynoun
- The simultaneous occurrence of events that appear meaningfully related yet lack a direct causal connection.
- Resiliencenoun
- The capacity to withstand or recover quickly from difficulties, tough conditions, or shock.
- Stigmanoun
- A mark of social disgrace, shame, or prejudice associated with a particular circumstance, trait, or behavior.
- clevernessnoun
- The mental quality of being quick-witted, agile, and ingenious in solving specific situational problems.
- collective consciousnessnoun
- The set of beliefs, ideas and feelings shared by the members of a society, which exists beyond any single person. By extension, what a community knows and repeats in common.
- Abyssnoun
- A deep or seemingly bottomless chasm, either in physical geography or metaphorical psychological depth. It evokes feelings of unfathomable emptiness or existential peril.
- Affectnoun
- An expressed or experienced emotion, feeling, or visceral response to a stimulus in psychology and philosophy.
- Anesthetizeverb
- To administer an anesthetic to eliminate physical feeling, or figuratively to numb emotional or critical awareness.
- anesthetizedadjective
- Deprived of physical sensation or feeling, often used figuratively to describe dullness or emotional apathy.
- Anesthetizingadjective
- Producing numbness, insensibility, or temporary relief from pain and critical awareness. In media studies, it describes content that pacifies audiences into mindless consumption.
Also from these editions: terms
- Adversitynoun
- A state of severe hardship, difficulty, or misfortune that tests resilience and moral endurance.
- Blissnoun
- A state of supreme happiness, utter contentment, or serene, untroubled joy.
- Disciplinenoun
- The practice of training one's mind and habits to adhere to rules, duties, and self-restraint.
- Humbleadjective
- Having or showing a modest, unpretentious estimate of one's own importance and achievements.
- Myopianoun
- A visual condition of nearsightedness, used figuratively for narrow-mindedness and lack of long-term foresight.
- Objectiveadjective
- Based on factual evidence and observable reality rather than personal feelings, biases, or interpretations.
- Opioidnoun
- A substance that acts on nervous system receptors to numb pain, often used metaphorically for emotional desensitization.
- Seppukunoun
- A ritual suicide practiced by Japanese samurai to preserve honor, fulfill duty, or atone for a severe failing.
- Sincereadjective
- Free from pretense, deceit, or hypocrisy; genuine, honest, and heartfelt in feeling or intent.
- Statuenoun
- A carved or cast three-dimensional sculpture of a person or animal, often used metaphorically for rigidity.
- Fraternitynoun
- A spirit of brotherly solidarity, mutual goodwill, and shared support among individuals or groups.
Also from these editions: concepts
- MorpheusMorpheus is a character of the film The Matrix, the one who offers Neo the choice between a red pill and a blue pill. The Agency editorial recalls that scene twice, in…
- NeoNeo is the protagonist of the film The Matrix, the one who receives from Morpheus the choice between a red pill and a blue pill. The Agency editorial recalls that scene…
- Why Not ZeroWhy Not Zero is a song by Phonte recommended in Issue.20, written in the edition as Why Not Zero? It closes the part Dose #2 - Questioning Truth, right after the author…
- DualityDuality is the philosophical and experiential concept that reality is composed of opposing yet interdependent forces and states, such as joy and sorrow, or light and…
- Echo ChamberAn echo chamber is a closed social or communicative environment where beliefs and opinions are continually repeated and reinforced while dissenting perspectives are…
- Ego DeathEgo death refers to the complete or temporary dissolution of one's defensive self-identity and subjective self-importance. It is often experienced during profound…
- Emotional GuiltEmotional guilt is an internal psychological state arising from the awareness that one has violated a personal moral standard, caused harm to another, or failed in an…
- Epistemic BubbleAn epistemic bubble is an informational network structure where relevant voices and contrary evidence are unintentionally omitted, leading to distorted perceptions of…
- Intellectual HumilityIntellectual humility is the cognitive virtue of recognizing the limitations, biases, and fallibility of one's own knowledge and beliefs. It involves a willingness to…
- PerspectivismPerspectivism is the philosophical doctrine that perception, knowledge, and truth are always conditioned by a specific subjective vantage point. It maintains that no…
- Radical HonestyRadical honesty is the intentional practice of speaking direct, unfiltered truth in interpersonal and professional relationships without evasive deceit or social…
- Self-ExaminationSelf-examination is the systematic practice of reflecting upon one's own thoughts, motives, moral conduct, and unconscious assumptions. Originating in Socratic ethics, it…