Difference Between Self Centered and Selfish

The main difference between self centered and selfish is that being self-centered refers to having an excessive interest and concern in oneself whereas being selfish refers to lack of consideration for others in addition to one’s excessive interest in oneself.

Self-centeredness and selfishness are two qualities that describe people who have excessive interest and concern in themselves. Moreover, we also associate these two qualities with other qualities like vanity and egoism.  Although these two words are very similar, there is a subtle difference between self centered and selfish; selfishness is always harmful to others, whereas self-centeredness is not necessarily so. 

Key Areas Covered

1. What Does Self Centered Mean
     – Definition, Characteristics
2. What Does Selfish Mean
     – Definition, Characteristics
3. What is the Relationship Between Self Centered and Selfish
     – Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Self Centered and Selfish
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Self Centered, Selfish

What Does Self Centered Mean

Self-centeredness or being self-centered refers to having excessive interest and concern in oneself. A self-centered person is mainly concerned with his or her own needs, interests and welfare. Such a person will always think about himself and talk about himself all the time. For example, when a group of friends meets, the self-centered one among that group will turn every discussion topic to himself, often ignoring or interrupting others. It is because self-centered people always want to be the center of attention.

Another example of being self-centred is a person spending the majority of his time working for his own benefit, and no one else’s. Even though this is not necessarily harmful, it focuses on serving one’s own interests and no one else’s. Moreover, a self-centered individual might be inclined toward selfish behavior, but this is not always so. Self-centeredness does not necessarily make a person stingy and selfish.

Although putting oneself before others has been traditionally considered to be a negative quality, most modern psychologists and other theorists do not see this quality as a negative.

What Does Selfish Mean

We often define selfishness or being selfish as a lack of consideration for others, and preoccupation with one’s own pleasure, profit or welfare. In other words, a selfish person is a person who is excessively concerned with himself and herself, regardless of others around him. Such people only think about their own advantage, welfare or profit. Selfishness is the opposite of selflessness or altruism. 

Some examples:

– not sharing your books and stationery with others

– helping yourself to extra servings while you know there is not enough to serve all

– pushing into a queue of people in order to be served before your turn

Some psychologists have identified a lack of empathy as the root cause of selfishness. Moreover, selfish behavior is often identified as immoral.

Relationship Between Self Centered and Selfish

• Self-centeredness and selfishness are two qualities that describe people who have excessive interest and concern in themselves.
• A self-centered individual might be inclined toward selfish behavior, but this is not always so.

Difference Between Self Centered and Selfish

Definition

Self centered refers to having an excessive interest and concern in oneself while selfish refers to a lack of consideration for others, and preoccupation with one’s own pleasure, profit or welfare.

Lack of Concern for Others

Selfishness refers to a lack of consideration for others; however, self-centered does not strictly refer to a lack of consideration for others. Self-centeredness merely indicates a preoccupation with oneself.

Effect on Others

Moreover, selfishness is always harmful to others, whereas self-centeredness is not necessarily harmful to others.

Conclusion

Self centered refers to having an excessive interest and concern in oneself while selfish refers to a lack of consideration for others, and preoccupation with one’s own pleasure, profit or welfare. Thus, selfishness indicates a lack of consideration for others; however, self-centeredness does not strictly refer to a lack of consideration for others. Thus, this is the main difference between and self centered and selfish.

Reference:

1. “Good, Neutral, and Bad Selfishness.” Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, Available here.
2. “Selfishness.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 4 Dec. 2019, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Self Confidence Self Safety Heart Free Photo” (CC0) via Needpix.com
2. “Me You Selfish Free Photo” (CC0) via Needpix.com