Autokeskeisyys

Autokeskeisyys is a Finnish term describing a tendency to view situations primarily from one’s own perspective and to prioritize personal needs, goals, and interests over those of others. In everyday language it is often equated with self-centeredness or egocentrism. The term is used both in common speech and in some scholarly discussions, though it is not a formal clinical diagnosis by itself.

Etymology follows the usual Finnish construction: auto- meaning self and keskeisyys from keskeinen, indicating centrality or focus. The concept is related to broader ideas of egocentrism and selfishness, and it is sometimes used to discuss personality traits, social behavior, or decision-making styles.

In psychology, autokeskeisyys can be linked to egocentric bias and limitations in perspective-taking. In developmental psychology, egocentrism is studied as a stage in which children have difficulty recognizing others’ viewpoints, often diminishing with age. In adults, self-centered tendencies may emerge in contexts that reward individual autonomy but can hinder cooperation, empathy, and communal norms.

Assessment of autokeskeisyys typically relies on indirect methods, such as self-report inventories, behavioral observations, or informant ratings that measure related constructs like egocentrism, narcissism, or selfishness. There is no universally accepted diagnostic criterion for autokeskeisyys as a standalone condition.

See also: egocentrism, narcissism, selfishness, empathy.