Narcissism refers to a psychological trait where one has high self-esteem and low empathy. Researchers found it is a universal trait that persists across different cultures and countries.

The degree of narcissism was found to vary among different countries and, for specific groups of people across cultures, young adults were more narcissistic than older adults and men were more narcissistic than women.

This research challenges the extent to which culture impacts narcissism and is important for how we consider human nature in the 21st century.

Socially responsible investors (SRIs) often see themselves as agents of social or environmental progress. They buy into polluting or “dirty” companies believing that their capital can nudge a business toward a cleaner path. But a new study by finance professors at the University of Rochester, Johns Hopkins University, and the Stockholm School of Economics argues that this logic can backfire. Instead of accelerating environmental reforms, SRIs may unintentionally create incentives for firms to postpone them.