The narcissism epidemic

Are we surrounded by narcissists, or is that just our perception? Kerri Miller spoke with Kristin Dombeck about her book, "The Selfishness of Others," as well as University of Georgia Psychology Department head, Keith Campbell about their conflicting ideas around narcissism.

Here is an excerpt from Kristin Dombeck's book, provided by Harper's Magazine.

We know the new selfishness when we see it. It's in the laughter of the Atlanta girl who, on the reality show My Super Sweet 16, demanded that the city's busiest avenue be shut down for her arrival. It's in her answer to the party planner when he pointed out the traffic -- "My sweet sixteen is more important than wherever they have to be" -- and in her shrug when he mentioned the hospital across the street: "They can wait one second. Or they can just go around."

Here is the shamelessly self-absorbed millennial, indifferent to the sick and the dying, indifferent to us. Allison turned sixteen, on television, in 2007. Two years later, she became exhibit A in The Narcissism Epidemic, by Jean Twenge and W. Keith Campbell, who used the episode to diagnose her with an "almost sociopathic narcissism." Allison was typical, they argued, of the generation now poised to rule the world -- a.k.a. Generation Me. She was evidence for a claim that, in the years since the book appeared, has itself become epidemic: that narcissism is the best name for what's wrong with people these days -- and millennials most of all.

To listen to the discussion about narcissism select the audio player above.