Egocentrism

Egocentrism is the inability to differentiate between self and other. More specifically, it's the cognitive bias where one focuses excessively on their own perspectives, thoughts, and feelings, failing to consider or appreciate those of others. This isn't necessarily selfishness, but rather a developmental stage or a persistent trait where the individual assumes their viewpoint is the only valid or important one. It can manifest in various forms, including difficulty understanding alternative viewpoints, a heightened sense of personal importance, and a tendency to personalize events.

Egocentrism meaning with examples

• The child's egocentrism was evident when she covered her eyes during hide-and-seek, believing she was invisible because *she* couldn't see. She was unable to grasp that others could still observe her. This is a common stage for young children, who have yet to develop a fully functional theory of mind, understanding that others have different beliefs and desires.
• During the meeting, Mark’s egocentrism was on full display as he constantly interrupted, only discussed his own projects, and dismissed any suggestions that didn’t align with his ideas. He showed little interest in collaborating and prioritized his viewpoint above the team's overall success and progress.
• After the breakup, her egocentrism caused her to assume that her ex still felt the same way. She interpreted his actions through the lens of her own feelings, missing subtle cues that he had moved on, and failed to understand his detachment from their shared past.
• The artist's egocentrism influenced his work. He painted solely from his own experiences, often believing that his subjective interpretations were universally relatable, even when they weren't necessarily understandable or appreciated by a larger audience.
• His political commentary often reflected his egocentrism, as he frequently used phrases such as "everyone knows" when expressing opinions, assuming his personal viewpoints were shared by all and dismissing perspectives of others as being invalid or illogical.