Yup. It seems to be an aspect of the process of individuation taken to extremes (i.e., not balanced by integration).
More details
on my blog, but in summary, we naturally develop by alternately becoming more individual versus becoming more connected/integrated with others.
For some time now Western society has focused heavily on the side of individuation, even when it seems to be making us less unique. Take our school systems as an example. They're arguably designed to make sure everyone reaches the same general standards, rather than to focus on truly unique strengths (i.e., building strengths is ok, as long as they're part of the curriculum). Yet it does this by encouraging competition more than it does cooperation. This leads to people working to be recognised as superior to others. The end result is a lot of similar people who all behave as if they're unique. (huge generalisations there, I know)
So I think we'd benefit a lot by focusing on a balance between individuation and integration. I also think we need to look at other cultures to see how they're doing things differently, and what they do that might work for us. Get over the idea that we're wholly superior.