The Articulate Professional online!

- Helping executives extend the reach and impact of their communications since 1993

Egocentrism

(pronounced ee-goh-sen-trih-zum)  noun

Definition

from the adjective egocentric.

EGOCENTRIC (pronounced ee-goh-sen-trik) = 1. holding the view that the self or the individual is the center of all things; concerned with the individual rather than society. 2. confined in outlook or concern to one's own interests or desires, with little or no regard for the feelings or needs of others; self-centered.

Other Forms

Egocentrically    (pronounced ee-goh-sen-trik-lee)    adverb

(Note: Another noun alternative is EGOCENTRICITY. Its definition and usage is identical to EGOCENTRISM, but frequency of use a bit less.)

Main Example

• Last month's devastating train crash in Glendale, Ca., when a series of collisions and derailments killed 11 people and injured nearly 200 others, was all because of one person's egocentrism. Juan Alvarez was so preoccupied with his own affairs that he didn't give a thought to what might happen to innocent people as a consequence of his actions. The LA County district attorney, Steve Cooley, was right on target when he angrily described Alvarez as a "self-centered man."

Workplace Examples

• The reason why I have invited all managers to this meeting is to get your thoughts on the various alternatives facing our company. We are at a critical juncture, so be sure to think from the overall company's standpoint. Do not think egocentrically! In other words, do not be influenced by how any of the alternatives will impact your position, status, etc.



• I finally got to meet Bill. We spent the entire afternoon in the cafeteria, discussing just about everything under the sun! But you know what? Every one of his questions and comments related only to how it will affect him personally. The guy is a certified egocentric!"

Other Examples

• a parent lamenting: "Our 18-year old is all about herself. She has absolutely no idea or concern about how her actions affect others in the home. She goes about her life very egocentrically."
• people who are so cocooned in their egocentrism that they are unable to perceive or empathize with their fellow employees' difficulties
• some other adjectives that might apply to people who are egocentrics: cold, distant, selfish, obnoxious, arrogant, hard-hearted, narcissistic...
• somebody with egocentric driving habits; the comments of a Hummer owner who was quoted in the August '04 National Geographic as saying "I know it's not fuel efficient, but I love knowing that anything I bump into, I win," demonstrating her egocentric attitude
• shortly after the Iraqi dictator's capture in December '03, a former CIA interrogator suggesting, during a PBS interview, that one strategy to get Saddam to open up (to interrogation) might be to tickle "his egocentrism" by sympathizing with "his having been treated unfairly"

© 2005 V.J. Singal

This Month's Other Words

Products to sharply enhance your vocabulary:

Now available on CD-ROM: Past editions of Words of the Month.
Click here for more information.
The Articulate Professional (1995 revised ed.) is also available.
Place an order or click here for testimonials attesting to its effectiveness as a vocabulary-building tool.
Now get the CD-ROM and the book for only $27. Order now!

*Price includes tax & shipping in US/Canada.

Copyright © 1999 - 2005 by V.J. Singal. Articulate is a registered trademark.
Questions or comments may be sent directly to the author.
Phone: 281-463-2500, P.O. Box 841155, Houston, TX 77284-1155