It takes all sorts to make a world – so some say. Nobody is the same, and our different personalities and character traits make us what we are. Wouldn’t it be boring if we were all the same? But if someone doesn’t behave or think like you, it can be frustrating. And there’s one personality type that can be very difficult to deal with - narcissism.
Narcissists consider themselves the most important person. They’re only interested in their own life, without a care in the world about the people around them. Their lack of empathy makes them come across as arrogant and self-important. If you know someone like this, their narcissistic attitudes might irritate you. But you might find it even more irritating to know that, according to new research, they are likely to be happier than other people.
An ongoing study of narcissism by researchers at Queen's University Belfast has found such people might infuriate others but are less likely to be stressed or depressed. Writing about the research, the BBC’s Sean Coughlan says “They might have trampled over others and left a trail of emotional damage around them - but narcissists also seem to be insulated against feeling bad about themselves.” And their heightened sense of self-importance appears to give them "protective" qualities.
Researchers have been trying to understand why narcissism appears to be more prevalent in areas such as politics, social media and celebrity culture and why narcissists' shameless, over-confident attitude seems to be rewarded rather than penalised. It does seem that they have the best of all worlds, which is not great news for shrinking violets. And there’s more bad news for those who are shy and retiring: previous research by Queen’s University has also found that a ‘mental toughness’ helps narcissists succeed at work and in their social lives because they can overcome rejection and disappointment. And other tests have found that narcissistic students do better in exams, not because they are more clever, but because of their confidence and assertiveness.
But psychologist Dr Kostas Papageorgiou from the research team argues that these personality traits should not be seen as "either good or bad" but as "products of evolution" and "expressions of human nature". So, at the end of the day, we are what we are, and that’s just something we can’t change.词汇表
5. The train company’s lack of information about the delays started to _______ the passengers.
arrogant infuriate depress heightened sense答案
1. 阅读课文并回答问题。
1. From the viewpoint of a narcissist, who is the most important person?
Narcissists consider themselves the most important person.
2. According to research, how stressed or depressed is a narcissist compared with other people?
An ongoing study of narcissism by researchers at Queen's University Belfast has found narcissists are less likely to be stressed or depressed.
3. True or false? Narcissists get rejected and disappointed at work because of their self-importance.
False. Research by Queen’s University has also found that a ‘mental toughness’ helps narcissists succeed at work and in their social lives because they can overcome rejection and disappointment.
4. Why might narcissistic students do better in exams?
Tests have found that narcissistic students do better in exams, not because they are more clever, but because of their confidence and assertiveness.
5. Which word in the text means ‘happening often/very common’?
Prevalent. (“Researchers have been trying to understand why narcissism appears to be more prevalent in areas such as politics, social media and celebrity culture.”)
2.请在不参考课文的情况下完成下列练习。选择一个意思合适的单词填入句子的空格处。
1. My brother is so arrogant. He never listens to my opinion and does what he wants.
2. Some of my friends like to swim in ice cold water for fun! Well, It takes all sorts to make a world.
3. Jane is shameless - she took all the glory for winning the race even though she cheated!
4. My friend is no shrinking violet - whenever we go to a karaoke bar, she’s the first to get up and sing!
5. The train company’s lack of information about the delays started to infuriate the passengers.