Narcissism: Overview : SBS Insight

Overview

This week Insight explores narcissism: what causes it, whether social media is
feeding it, and when narcissistic tendencies verge into serious disorder.

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Narcissists have an inflated sense of self, a lack of empathy and can be vain and
materialistic. But narcissism can be far more serious and destructive than
simply an overblown ego. While the spectrum of narcissistic personality disorder is
broad, those at the severe end of the scale can tear apart the lives of the people
around them.

Meet the Guests

Professor W. Keith Campbell

Professor Keith Campbell is the head of Behavioural and Brain Sciences at the University of Georgia and the co-author of The Narcissism Epidemic: Living in the Age of Entitlement. His research found that narcissistic tendencies are on the rise in American young people. He attributes this to the rise in individualism, social media and celebrity culture.

Frances Lee

Frances Lee is 21 year old social media addict with her own YouTube channel. She says blogging, Tweeting and Facebooking are just a normal part of life for people her age.

Tim Brunero

Tim Brunero was a contestant on Big Brother in 2005. He believes social media has 'democratised celebrity'.

Dr Ranil Gunewardene

Dr Ranil Gunewardene is the Clinical Director Mental Health Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital and Mosman Private Hospital who has seen the destructive path wrought by people diagnosed with Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Those with the disorder often have inflated views of their importance and superiority but their key trait is a lack of empathy. While narcissists may appear successful on the outside, they often have damaging relationships with their partners, children and workmates.