Jean Twenge

Five key causes of the rising narcissism in American culture: A focus on self-admiration, child-centered parenting, celebrity glorification and media encouragement, the attention seeking promoted on the Internet, and easy credit.

Our students might not be the brightest, or our poverty level the lowest, but Americans do just fine on narcissism tests.

Narcissism is a great predictor of imaginary success—but not of actual success.

Self-esteem comes after success, not before, because self-esteem is based on success (whether that’s academic success or simply being a good friend to someone).

When children are overindulged, Kindlon argues, it leads to outcomes resembling the seven deadly sins: pride, wrath, envy, sloth, gluttony, lust, and greed. The seven deadly sins are, of course, a succinct summary of the symptoms of narcissism.

Americans are obsessed with people who are obsessed with themselves. In this new world, being narcissistic is cool.

In the late ’90s Americans spent more on shoes, jewelry, and watches ($80 billion) than on higher education ($65 billion). An incredible 93% of teenage girls say that shopping is their favorite activity.

It is relatively easy to succeed in life with low self-esteem, but very difficult to succeed without self-control, self-discipline, or emotional resilience in the face of setbacks.

Web 2.0, says Andrew Keen in The Cult of the Amateur, is 'ignorance meets egoism meets bad taste meets mob rule.'