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Harmful Trends in Studies

On February 27, 2007, in General, by Nettie Hartsock

Study finds rising narcissism among college students

By Associated Press
Posted Tuesday, February 27, 2007

NEW YORK _ Today’s college students are more narcissistic and self-centered than their predecessors, according to a comprehensive new study by five psychologists who worry that the trend could be harmful to personal relationships and American society.

"We need to stop endlessly repeating ‘You’re special’ and having children repeat that back," said the study’s lead author, Professor Jean Twenge of San Diego State University. "Kids are self-centered enough already."

Here’s a link to the full story.

And as a Mom of a six year old son and a ten year old daughter, I find it a bit apalling that the lead author is quoted as saying, "Kids are self-centered enough already."

Kids are kids and if you look at all the messaging directed to them in the form of productizing their lives – that would be a more interesting study then having your call to action from the study be, "Stop endlessly repeating "you’re special." The way Professor Twenge describes it sounds a bit more like brainwashing than good kid and parental interaction.

The harmful trend in studies is how more and more studies are based on the "result" the "study leaders" already have in mind that they want to attain.

How can I relate that to PR? Good question Watson! Here’s how:

Journalists are studying your company – many of them already have their "resultant" story in mind even as they are interviewing you or coming (god forbid) to your hour long briefing via the Internet. So the key is to study the journalists and what they write and be prepared to respond to any "hooks" they might drop in the conversation to make "their" story turn out better. Frankly, it shows some respect to journalists too if you take the time to read what they write prior to an interview. Most of them follow some sort of style and you can learn how to best be responsive to what they ask, by "studying" old stories they’ve written.

And I guess if you really wanted to make them feel good you could keep repeating to them "You’re special" and ask if they’ll repeat that back to you during the interview. (that’s a joke folks.:>)