A groundbreaking study published in the Psychology and Aging journal has found that Baby Boomers, those born between 1964-1964, have higher levels of being full of themselves, hypersensitivity, a tendency to impose their opinions on others, and higher levels of willfulness.
Narcissism: the Definition&Nbsp;
As per Mayo Clinic, people with Narcissistic Personality Disorder usually display “inflated sense of self-importance” and a “sense of entitlement,” along with other traits such as arrogance and an unwillingness to “recognize the needs and feelings of others.”
The study, the largest of its kind, surveyed nearly 750 people between the ages of 13 and 77.
Related: 10 Outdated Home Trends Millennials Hate But Boomers Love
A Look at Narcissism Across Generations&Nbsp;
The lead author, William Chopik, an associate professor of psychology, said, “There’s a narrative in our culture that generations are getting increasingly narcissistic, but no one has ever looked at it throughout generations or how it varies with age at the same time.”
The research team analyzed the subjects’ interviews and ranked them on a scale of 1 to 5, with the most narcissistic traits such as defensiveness, authoritativeness, and stubbornness at 5.
Generally, traits such as being full of yourself, being sensitive to criticism, and imposing your opinion on others, declined as people aged.
Comparing the Generations&Nbsp;
When the team compared the different generations, they found that the older generations were more sensitive overall.
The study found that Baby Boomers had higher levels of hypersensitivity and higher levels of willfulness.
Related: Millennials Are Slamming 1994 Movie- Ace Ventura: Pet Detective
Understanding Baby Boomer’S Narcissism&Nbsp;
The study’s lead author, William Chopik, theorizes that the Baby Boomers may have developed these traits due to the significant historical events they lived through.
He suggests that in the United States, Boomers may be more narcissistic because they grew up with government-provided privileges like social security.
Narcissism and Life Milestones&Nbsp;
The study also found that narcissistic traits tend to decrease as people achieve milestones such as getting their first job or starting a relationship.
Hypersensitivity drops dramatically after people turn 40. Overall, the study provides new insights into the characteristics of different generations and the complexity of Narcissism disorder.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Narcissistic Personality Disorder
- Journal Study: psycnet.apa.org
Read Next
- 80 Yr-Old Creates Sealed Garden That Hasn’t Been Watered Since 1972
- Yellow Watermelon: Yes, It’s Real! Here’s Everything You Need to Know
- Pickle Juice vs Apple Cider Vinegar: Differences & Benefits Explained
Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.