Rearing and Reinforcement: Cultural Narcissism in The Digital Age
The birthing and teaching of cultural narcissism through the theatricality of U.S. politics, grandiose Reality TV that props up pathological narcissists, the Kardashian infatuation, and social media.
American cultural narcissism has infected the populace, spawning from the theatricality of U.S. politics, television that props up pathological narcissists, and the binary encoded internet which has convinced everyone of their expertness, certifying righteousness as we spout off in our echo chambers and post selfies for virtual approval. We’re uncertain what definitively causes cluster B personality disorders like narcissism (NPD) and borderline (BPD), but the prevailing consensus is that a combo of environmental and genetic factors results in unhealthy attachment style and maladaptive coping mechanism formation, with many emphasizing the effects of childhood trauma, namely parental instability, neglect, and abuse as catalysts in arrested development. Social influences on behaviors should be extended beyond a nature-nurture debate that primarily focuses on the family, as it is evident that community input and media shape our beliefs and attitudes.
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