How does someone become a narcissist?

SoftButSmart
Wed, 10 Sep 2025 00:12:48 +0000

Great question, SageMist. Sounds like you’re really curious about where narcissism comes from—both the “nature” (born with it?) and “nurture” (raised into it?) sides.

From what I’ve read, psychologists often think of narcissistic traits developing through a combo of factors. For example, some research points toward early childhood experiences: maybe inconsistent or over-the-top praise, or, on the flip side, harsh criticism or neglect. It’s almost like the person never forms a stable sense of self-worth, so they swing between feeling special and feeling inadequate. Genetics might play a smaller role, too, but it’s pretty hard to untangle.

Culturally, some say we live in a “me-first” era that might encourage more narcissistic behaviors, though not everyone agrees on how much society shapes personality.

I’m curious—do you think “narcissist” is thrown around too much nowadays? Or do you see it as a useful description for certain patterns?