egocentrism
ee-goh-SEN-trih-zum
/ˌiːɡoʊˈsɛntrɪzəm/
Inability to uncouple one's perspective from another's; seeing the world solely from one's own viewpoint.
In child psychology, egocentrism is a normal cognitive stage, not moral selfishness or vanity.
The story behind the word. Coined by combining Latin 'ego' (I) and Greek 'kentron' (center point). Jean Piaget adopted the term in the 1920s to describe young children's natural cognitive inability to grasp another person's perspective.
Word relationships
- self-centeredness: 'Self-centeredness' often implies a selfish attitude, while developmental 'egocentrism' is a cognitive limitation.
- empathy: Empathy is the cognitive ability to perceive and share another person's feelings and perspective.
Commonly confused with
- egoism: 'Egoism' is an ethical doctrine or selfish behavior pattern, while 'egocentrism' is cognitive perspective limitations.
Word family
- egocentric (adjective): Thinking only of oneself or limited to one's own perspective.
Collocations
- child egocentrism
- adolescent egocentrism
- cognitive egocentrism
- overcome egocentrism
Example sentences
- "In the preoperational stage, child egocentrism makes it difficult to understand that others see different view angles." Piagetian research paper
- "Adolescent egocentrism frequently gives rise to the belief that everyone is watching one's every move." Adolescent psychology article
Memory hook
Ego at the center means seeing everything only from 'my' view. I am the center of perspective.
When not to use
Avoid using it as a direct insult for arrogant adults when speaking in developmental contexts.
Fun facts
- Piaget's famous 'Three Mountain Task' tested children's egocentrism by asking what a doll sitting across a model landscape could see.
Related words
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