Are people inherently egocentric?

[Monello]

Is the trait of looking out for yourself a learned behavior or is it something that we are born with?

 

[vraiblonde]

I vote "born with". Babies are highly egocentric and must be taught to think of others.

 

[PeoplesElbow]

You might be, but I'm not.

 

[Bann]

I vote "born with" also. For the same reason Vrai said.

 

[kom526]

"You always look out for number 1, but be careful not to step in number 2" ~ Rodney Dangerfield

 

[Larry Gude]

Is the trait of looking out for yourself a learned behavior or is it something that we are born with?

Men tend to be. Women, thankfully, tend to not be.

 

[luvmygdaughters]

I think we are all born with the self preservation gene. Looking out for others is a learned emotion, IMHO. You learn to care for and about people who are close to you by the way you are treated by them. Next comes empathy for strangers, animals, etc. Again, my opinion only.