Glossary / Lexicon

Deutsch: Adoleszente Egozentrik / Español: Egocentrismo Adolescente / Português: Egocentrismo Adolescente / Français: Égocentrisme de l'adolescent / Italiano: Egocentrismo dell'adolescente /

Adolescent egocentrism refers to self -absorption that is characteristic of teenagers as they search for identity.

Adolescent egocentrism is a term used in psychology to describe a stage of cognitive development that occurs during adolescence, in which teenagers tend to be self-focused and believe that others are constantly focused on them as well. Adolescent egocentrism involves a heightened self-consciousness, a sense of personal uniqueness, and a tendency to believe that one's own experiences and feelings are unique and not shared by others.

There are two types of adolescent egocentrism: personal fable and imaginary audience. Personal fable refers to the belief that one is unique, special, and invulnerable, and that one's experiences are not shared by others. This can lead to a sense of grandiosity and a belief that one is exempt from the rules that apply to others. For example, a teenager might believe that they are immune to the risks of drug use or unprotected sex, despite evidence to the contrary. Imaginary audience refers to the belief that one is constantly being watched and evaluated by others. This can lead to self-consciousness and anxiety about one's appearance and behavior, as well as a tendency to overestimate the degree to which others are paying attention to one's actions.

Adolescent egocentrism is a normal and necessary part of cognitive development, as it allows teenagers to explore and develop their own identities. However, it can also lead to conflict with others, as teenagers may be perceived as self-centered or dismissive of others' perspectives.

Similar concepts in psychology include the narcissism of small differences, which refers to the tendency for individuals or groups who are similar in many ways to emphasize their differences and compete with each other, and the spotlight effect, which refers to the tendency for individuals to overestimate the extent to which others are paying attention to them.

Overall, adolescent egocentrism is a normal and necessary stage of cognitive development that allows teenagers to explore and develop their own identities. While it can lead to conflict with others, it is important for adults to understand and support teenagers during this stage, while also helping them develop empathy and perspective-taking skills.