Calling All Narcissists
Psychologists conceptualize narcissism as extreme self-centeredness. Of course, we can all be a bit self-focused at times, but for narcissists the self is an overriding concern. In the laboratory, psychologists often measure narcissism using the Narcissistic Personality Inventory. On this questionnaire, individuals pick one statement from pairs such as “I prefer to blend in with the crowd; I like to be the center of attention” and “I am no better or worse than most people; I think I am a special person.” Their score reflects how narcissistic they are.
Some items on the test reflect a truth dating back to the Greeks: narcissists are obsessed with their looks. In 2008 Washington University psychologist Simine Vazire and her colleagues found that such individuals tend to wear expensive clothing and spend a lot of time preening. Data also confirm that narcissistic people like to talk about themselves. In 1988 psychologists Robert Raskin of the University of California, Berkeley, and Robert Shaw of Yale University found that in taped monologues, narcissistic undergraduates were significantly more likely than other students to use the word “I” and less likely to use the word “we.”
In extreme forms, narcissism can become pathological. In the latest edition of psychiatry's bible, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is marked by an excessive sense of self-importance, unrealistic fantasies of success, and intense envy of others' accomplishments. People with NPD are also convinced they deserve special treatment. For example, they may be enraged that they need to wait on line at a restaurant behind other “lesser” people.
Increasing evidence suggests that the NPD diagnosis is actually a mix of two flavors. Grandiose narcissism is the flamboyant, boastful form that probably characterizes both malignant leaders such as Benito Mussolini and Saddam Hussein and highly venerated figures such as General George S. Patton. The lesser-known “vulnerable” variety of self-devotion afflicts more reserved, fragile individuals who may resemble the self-effacing and thin-skinned characters portrayed by Woody Allen in his films.
No one really knows what causes the intense concern with the self that narcissists display. In one theory, they are compensating for low self-esteem by becoming egotistic. Yet this intriguing conjecture has weak scientific support, and another theory suggests that only vulnerable narcissists lack a sense of self-worth.
Rights & Permissions
See what we're tweeting about
5 Comments
Add CommentI have found it much healthier & better to stay far away from narcissists as well as psychopaths ans sociopaths.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe trick is to be able to recognize them soon enough .
Narcissists are: Not pleasant to be around unless you are a masochist.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWell said .
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI have a better conclusion than the author. Since narcissists constantly brag and lie about accomplishments and claim credit they are not due, it is better to institutionalize them if not kill them outright. This particularly applies to celebrities and politicians as well as business executives.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisA lot of what gets interpreted as narcissism is more an awareness of how appearances impact success. I also think a lot of it is based on mass media promoting celebrities in such an unrealistic way.
I'm an *echo narcissist*...one of the hurt vulnerable kind. In fact those who know me say I look kind 'o scared--a *please don't hurt me* kind 'o look. It comes from being deeply rejected during attachment-bonding time in infancy. What the hell's that mean? My enraged father punctured my mother's water at birth...in my face. Nice welcome,huh? I froze there emotionally. My mother tried to kill me several times in the first 2 years of life. I EXPECT rejection. A narci's defense is self-adoration to deny the pain of rejection. The preening thing is about hiding behind one's appearance to manufacture a way to fake one's self-worth--there is a severe lack thereof.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this