Selfish people are those who put their own interests before those of others. On the other hand, egotists have the continuous need to talk about themselves. This nuance lies in the high self-concept that some people have, normally beyond all objectivity, which leads them to exaggerate their physical, intellectual or any other characteristics. This results in arrogant and sometimes insensitive personalities. But what are the differences between egotists and selfish people?
Egotism is, despite its ignorance, an ancient term coined for the first time in the 18th century. The doctor Valentín Elorza explains in an article for the specialized website Psicología y Mente that, unlike selfish people, selfish people do have the ability to satisfy the desires of others if it means obtaining the attention and recognition they crave. They also do not usually react negatively to criticism, since their perception of themselves is so high that they interpret any appreciation or comment as envy or lack of information.
Some authors believe that egotism is a ‘socialized’ version of narcissism, since they have the need to give themselves importance and be praised, without reaching a degree of pathology.
These are some of the characteristics that manifest themselves in the daily behavior of egotists:
In short, forging a bond with an egotistical person can be really frustrating. They are certainly immature and conflictive people, incapable of providing emotional support and maintaining a healthy relationship.
