San Diego State students say they may be self-centered but the campus culture is to blame. A new report criticizes college students for being more narcissistic than previous generations. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.
SDSU professor Jean Twenge studies the behaviors and thoughts of young Americans today. Her latest report indicates college students generally lack empathy for others, get aggressive when they're criticized and would rather do things for themselves and not others. She and four other psychologists analyzed more than a decade's worth of personality surveys. Students like Jenna Stagliano agree with the findings, but say the college environment breeds that behavior.
Stagliano: This is like your time to be getting your education and pursue your career. You're living on your own, yeah you might have roommates, but day to day life, you're taking care of yourself.
Stagliano says narcissism does have benefits, especially when students compete for certain classes and grades. But Twenge believes its harmful to personal relationships and American society. Ana Tintocalis, KPBS News.
