The recent rise of Generation “I”

While many incoming students may be concerned about the “freshman 15,” their waistlines might not be the only thing expanding. Research presented at the Association for Psychological Science Convention in 2010 suggested the size of students’ egos is also growing, making college kids more narcissistic than they have been in the past.
The Narcissistic Personality Inventory asks for responses to such statements as “If I ruled the world it would be a better place,” “I think I am a special person” and “I can live my life any way I want to.” Researchers that collect data from these evaluations stated that students’ NPI scores have steadily increased over the last two decades. The spread of technology and social network sites were noted as  factors in the rise of narcissistic tendencies. These sites allow people to make a public display of their own self-importance. Development of one’s ego is also greatly influenced by parenting style; incessant repetition of the “you are special” mantra may lead some kids to think they are better than others.
College is an intensely competitive atmosphere. Many people are uneager to help fellow classmates for fear they will fall behind in their own schoolwork, or that the people they help might get a better grade than they do. Because we are constantly told to go out and get what we want, we tend to focus only on ourselves. There is no reward for helping someone else out, and because it can’t be quantified, there is an increasing sense that it’s unimportant. But it is important; that’s what living in the Midwest is all about. No matter how inflated our egos may become, our treatment of others and commitment to community will make us successful, not individual ambition or power.