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{{short description|Personality trait of self-love of a perceived perfect self}} {{Short description|Excessive preoccupation with oneself}}
{{for|the clinical disorder|Narcissistic personality disorder}} {{About||the clinical disorder|Narcissistic personality disorder|other uses}}
{{pp-vandalism|small=yes}}
{{Other uses|Narcissism (disambiguation)}}


]'' (1597–99) by ]; the man in love with his own reflection]] ]'' (1597–99) by ]; the man in love with his own reflection]]


'''Narcissism''' is a self-centered personality style characterized as having an excessive preoccupation with oneself and one's own needs, often at the expense of others.<ref name="Oxford">{{cite web |title=Oxford Learner's Dictionary |url=https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/us/definition/english/narcissism |website=oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com |publisher=Oxford University Press |access-date=14 September 2021}}</ref><ref name="APA">{{cite web |title=APA Dictionary of Psychology |url=https://dictionary.apa.org/narcissism |website=dictionary.apa.org |publisher=American Psychological Association |access-date=14 September 2021}}</ref> '''Narcissism''' is a self-centered personality style characterized as having an excessive preoccupation with oneself and one's own needs, often at the expense of others.<ref name="Oxford">{{cite web |title=Oxford Learner's Dictionary |url=https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/us/definition/english/narcissism |website=oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com |publisher=Oxford University Press |access-date=14 September 2021 |archive-date=25 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625202203/https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/us/definition/english/narcissism |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="APA">{{cite web |title=APA Dictionary of Psychology |url=https://dictionary.apa.org/narcissism |website=dictionary.apa.org |publisher=American Psychological Association |access-date=14 September 2021 |archive-date=25 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925164027/https://dictionary.apa.org/narcissism |url-status=live }}</ref> Narcissism, rooted in Greek mythology, has evolved into a psychological concept studied extensively since the early 20th century, highlighting its relevance across various societal domains.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Yakeley |first=Jessica |date=2018 |title=Current understanding of narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2056467818000208/type/journal_article |journal=BJPsych Advances |language=en |volume=24 |issue=5 |pages=305–315 |doi=10.1192/bja.2018.20 |issn=2056-4678}}</ref>


Narcissism exists on a continuum that ranges from normal to abnormal personality expression.<ref name="Zlatan">{{cite journal | vauthors = Krizan Z, Herlache AD | title = The Narcissism Spectrum Model: A Synthetic View of Narcissistic Personality | journal = Personality and Social Psychology Review | volume = 22 | issue = 1 | pages = 3–31 | date = February 2018 | pmid = 28132598 | doi = 10.1177/1088868316685018 | s2cid = 206682971 | doi-access = free }}</ref> While many psychologists believe that a moderate degree of narcissism is ] in humans, there are also more extreme forms, observable particularly in people who are excessively self-absorbed, or who have a mental illness like ] (NPD), where the narcissistic tendency has become pathological.<ref name="Zlatan"/><ref name="Nazario">{{cite web | vauthors = Nazario B | date = 4 September 2022 | veditors = Casarella J |title=Narcissistic Personality Disorder |url=https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/narcissistic-personality-disorder |website=webmd.com |publisher=Web MD |access-date=18 June 2020}}</ref> Narcissism exists on a continuum that ranges from normal to ] expression.<ref name="Zlatan">{{cite journal | vauthors = Krizan Z, Herlache AD | title = The Narcissism Spectrum Model: A Synthetic View of Narcissistic Personality | journal = Personality and Social Psychology Review | volume = 22 | issue = 1 | pages = 3–31 | date = February 2018 | pmid = 28132598 | doi = 10.1177/1088868316685018 | s2cid = 206682971 | doi-access = free }}</ref> While many psychologists believe that a moderate degree of narcissism is ] in humans, there are also more extreme forms, observable particularly in people who are excessively self-absorbed, or who have a mental illness like ] (NPD), where the narcissistic tendency has become pathological,<ref name="Zlatan"/><ref name="Nazario">{{cite web |vauthors=Nazario B |date=4 September 2022 |veditors=Casarella J |title=Narcissistic Personality Disorder |url=https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/narcissistic-personality-disorder |website=webmd.com |publisher=Web MD |access-date=18 June 2020 |archive-date=13 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200513203125/https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/narcissistic-personality-disorder |url-status=live }}</ref> leading to functional impairment and ] disability.<ref name="Caligor_2015">{{cite journal |vauthors=Caligor E, Levy KN, Yeomans FE |date=May 2015 |title=Narcissistic personality disorder: diagnostic and clinical challenges |journal=The American Journal of Psychiatry |volume=172 |issue=5 |pages=415–422 |doi=10.1176/appi.ajp.2014.14060723 |pmid=25930131}}</ref>


==Historical background== ==Historical background==
The term ''narcissism'' comes from the Roman poet ]'s '']'', written in the year 8 AD. Book III of the poem tells the mythical story of a handsome young man, ], who spurns the advances of many potential lovers. When Narcissus rejects the nymph ], who was cursed to only echo the sounds that others made, the gods punish Narcissus by making him fall in love with his own reflection in a pool of water. When Narcissus discovers that the object of his love cannot love him back, he slowly pines away and dies.<ref name="Britanica">{{cite web |title=Narcissus Greek mythology |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Narcissus-Greek-mythology |website=britannica.com |publisher=Britanica |access-date=14 September 2021}}</ref> The term ''narcissism'' is derived from ], a character in Greek mythology best known from the telling in Roman poet ]'s '']'', written in 8 CE. Book III of the poem tells the mythical story of a handsome young man, Narcissus, who spurns the advances of many potential lovers. When Narcissus rejects the nymph ], who was cursed to only echo the sounds that others made, the gods punish Narcissus by making him fall in love with his own reflection in a pool of water. When Narcissus discovers that the object of his love cannot love him back, he slowly pines away and dies.<ref name="Britanica">{{cite web |title=Narcissus Greek mythology |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Narcissus-Greek-mythology |website=britannica.com |publisher=Britanica |access-date=14 September 2021 |archive-date=5 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605043815/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Narcissus-Greek-mythology |url-status=live }}</ref>


The concept of excessive ] has been recognized throughout history. In ancient Greece, the concept was understood as ].{{cn|date=March 2023}} Some religious movements such as the ] attempted to rectify what they viewed as the shattering and narcissistic cultures of recent centuries.<ref name="Fudge 2021 p. 47">{{cite book | last=Fudge | first=T.A. | title=Matthew Spinka, Howard Kaminsky, and the Future of the Medieval Hussites | publisher=Lexington Books | year=2021 | isbn=978-1-7936-5081-8 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Jgo0EAAAQBAJ&pg=PA47 | access-date=2023-05-09 | page=47}}</ref> The concept of excessive ] has been recognized throughout history. In ancient Greece, the concept was understood as ].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Berger |first1=Joël |last2=Osterloh |first2=Margit |last3=Rost |first3=Katja |last4=Ehrmann |first4=Thomas |title=How to prevent leadership hubris? Comparing competitive selections, lotteries, and their combination |journal=The Leadership Quarterly |date=1 October 2020 |volume=31 |issue=5 |pages=101388 |doi=10.1016/j.leaqua.2020.101388 |s2cid=219435184 }}</ref> Some religious movements such as the ] attempted to rectify what they viewed as the shattering and narcissistic cultures of recent centuries.<ref name="Fudge 2021 p. 47">{{cite book | last=Fudge | first=T.A. | title=Matthew Spinka, Howard Kaminsky, and the Future of the Medieval Hussites | publisher=Lexington Books | year=2021 | isbn=978-1-7936-5081-8 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Jgo0EAAAQBAJ&pg=PA47 | access-date=2023-05-09 | page=47 | archive-date=2023-05-09 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230509214123/https://books.google.com/books?id=Jgo0EAAAQBAJ&pg=PA47 | url-status=live }}</ref>


It was not until the late 1800s that narcissism began to be defined in psychological terms.<ref name="millon">{{cite book| vauthors = Millon T, Grossman S, Millon C, Meagher S, Ramnath R |publisher = Wile y|isbn = 978-0-471-23734-1 |page = 343 |url = http://leipper.org/manuals/zip-fill/Personality%20Disorders%20in%20Modern%20Life%202ND%20ED%20-%20THEODORE%20MILLON.pdf |title= Personality Disorders in Modern Life|year=2004}}</ref> Since that time, the term has had a significant divergence in meaning in psychology. It has been used to describe: It was not until the late 1800s that narcissism began to be defined in psychological terms.<ref name="millon">{{cite book |vauthors = Millon T, Grossman S, Millon C, Meagher S, Ramnath R |publisher = Wile y |isbn = 978-0-471-23734-1 |page = 343 |url = http://leipper.org/manuals/zip-fill/Personality%20Disorders%20in%20Modern%20Life%202ND%20ED%20-%20THEODORE%20MILLON.pdf |title = Personality Disorders in Modern Life |year = 2004 |access-date = 2018-11-07 |archive-date = 2023-06-04 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230604002709/http://leipper.org/manuals/zip-fill/Personality%20Disorders%20in%20Modern%20Life%202ND%20ED%20-%20THEODORE%20MILLON.pdf |url-status = live }}</ref> Since that time, the term has had a significant divergence in meaning in psychology. It has been used to describe:
* a sexual perversion, * A sexual perversion,
* a normal developmental stage, * A normal developmental stage,
* a symptom in psychosis, and * A symptom in psychosis, and
* a characteristic in several of the object relations .<ref name="Gay">{{cite book | vauthors = Gay P |title=Freud: A Life for Our Time |date=May 17, 2006 |publisher=W. W. Norton & Company |isbn=978-0-393-32861-5 |page=340}}</ref> * A characteristic in several of the object relations .<ref name="Gay">{{cite book | vauthors = Gay P |title=Freud: A Life for Our Time |date=May 17, 2006 |publisher=W. W. Norton & Company |isbn=978-0-393-32861-5 |page=340}}</ref>


In 1889, psychiatrists ] and ] used the term "narcissism", independently of each other, to describe a person who treats his own body in the same way in which the body of a sexual partner is ordinarily treated. Narcissism, in this context, was seen as a perversion that consumed a person's entire sexual life.<ref name="millon"/> In 1911 ] published the first clinical paper about narcissism, linking it to vanity and self-admiration.<ref name="Ogrodniczuk">{{cite journal | vauthors = Ogrodniczuk J |title=Historical overview of pathological narcissism. In: Understanding and Treating Pathological Narcissism |journal=American Psychological Association |date=2013 |pages=15–26 |doi=10.1037/14041-001}}</ref><ref name=millon /> In 1889, psychiatrists ] and ] used the term "narcissism", independently of each other, to describe a person who treats their own body in the same way in which the body of a sexual partner is ordinarily treated. Narcissism, in this context, was seen as a perversion that consumed a person's entire sexual life.<ref name="millon"/> In 1911 ] published the first clinical paper about narcissism, linking it to vanity and self-admiration.<ref name="Ogrodniczuk">{{cite journal | vauthors = Ogrodniczuk J |title=Historical overview of pathological narcissism. In: Understanding and Treating Pathological Narcissism |journal=American Psychological Association |date=2013 |pages=15–26 |doi=10.1037/14041-001}}</ref><ref name=millon />
]


In an essay in 1913 called "The God-complex", ] considered extreme narcissism as a character trait. He described people with the God-complex as being aloof, ], overconfident, auto-erotic, inaccessible, self-admiring, and exhibitionistic, with fantasies of omnipotence and omniscience. He observed that these people had a high need for uniqueness.<ref name="Jones">{{cite web | vauthors = Jones E |title=Essays In Applied Psychoanalysis | volume = II |url= https://archive.org/stream/essaysinappliedp032204mbp/essaysinappliedp032204mbp_djvu.txt |website=archive.org |publisher=Osmania University Library |access-date=14 December 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | vauthors = Jones E |title=Essays in Applied Psycho-Analysis |pages=472 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=W1OZ5NRz3egC |publisher=Lightning Source Inc |date=15 March 2007 |access-date= 2012-01-22 |isbn= 978-1-4067-0338-2}}</ref><ref name="Evans">{{cite web | vauthors = Evans N |title=History of Narcissism |url= https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/handle/2027.42/57606/skonrath_2.pdf%20umich.edu?sequence=2 |website=deepblue.lib.umich.edu |publisher=University of Michigan}}</ref> In an essay in 1913 called "The ]", ] considered extreme narcissism as a character trait. He described people with the God complex as being aloof, ], overconfident, auto-erotic, inaccessible, self-admiring, and exhibitionistic, with fantasies of omnipotence and omniscience. He observed that these people had a high need for uniqueness.<ref name="Jones">{{cite web | vauthors = Jones E |title=Essays In Applied Psychoanalysis | volume = II |url= https://archive.org/stream/essaysinappliedp032204mbp/essaysinappliedp032204mbp_djvu.txt |website=archive.org |publisher=Osmania University Library |access-date=14 December 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | vauthors = Jones E |title=Essays in Applied Psycho-Analysis |pages=472 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=W1OZ5NRz3egC |publisher=Lightning Source Inc |date=15 March 2007 |access-date= 2012-01-22 |isbn= 978-1-4067-0338-2}}</ref><ref name="Evans">{{cite web |vauthors=Evans N |title=History of Narcissism |url=https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/handle/2027.42/57606/skonrath_2.pdf%20umich.edu?sequence=2 |website=deepblue.lib.umich.edu |publisher=University of Michigan |access-date=2021-12-14 |archive-date=2021-12-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214182438/https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/handle/2027.42/57606/skonrath_2.pdf%20umich.edu?sequence=2 |url-status=live }}</ref>


] (1914) published his theory of narcissism in a lengthy essay titled "]". For Freud, narcissism refers to the individual's direction of ] toward themselves rather than objects and others. He postulated a universal "primary narcissism", that was a phase of sexual development in early infancy – a necessary intermediate stage between auto-eroticism and object-love, love for others. Portions of this 'self-love' or ego-libido are, at later stages of development, expressed outwardly, or "given off" toward others. Freud's postulation of a "secondary narcissism" came as a result of his observation of the peculiar nature of the schizophrenic's relation to themselves and the world. He observed that the two fundamental qualities of such patients were megalomania and withdrawal of interest from the real world of people and things: "the libido that has been withdrawn from the external world has been directed to the ego and thus gives rise to an attitude which may be called narcissism."<ref>{{cite web |title=On Narcissism, 1914 by Freud |url=https://www.sigmundfreud.net/on-narcissism.jsp |website=SigmundFreud.net |publisher=Sigmund Freud |access-date=14 December 2021}}</ref><ref name="Strachey">{{cite web | vauthors = Strachey J |title=Standard Edition of the Complete Works of Sigmund Freud |url=https://www.sas.upenn.edu/~cavitch/pdf-library/Freud_SE_On_Narcissism_complete.pdf |website= sas.upenn.edu |publisher=University of Pennsylvania |access-date=14 December 2021}}</ref> It is a secondary narcissism because it is not a new creation but a magnification of an already existing condition (primary narcissism). ] (1914) published his theory of narcissism in a lengthy essay titled "]". For Freud, narcissism refers to the individual's direction of ] toward themselves rather than objects and others.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Aleksandrowicz |first=Dov R. |title=MASTERY, AGGRESSION AND NARCISSISM : A contribution to psychoanalytic drive theory |url=https://www.archivespp.pl/MASTERY-AGGRESSION-AND-NARCISSISM-A-contribution-to-psychoanalytic-drive-theory,153231,0,2.html |journal=Archives of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy |language=english |volume=11 |issue=2 |pages=13–21 |issn=1509-2046}}</ref> He postulated a universal "primary narcissism", that was a phase of sexual development in early infancy – a necessary intermediate stage between auto-eroticism and object-love, love for others. Portions of this 'self-love' or ego-libido are, at later stages of development, expressed outwardly, or "given off" toward others. Freud's postulation of a "secondary narcissism" came as a result of his observation of the peculiar nature of the schizophrenic's relation to themselves and the world. He observed that the two fundamental qualities of such patients were megalomania and withdrawal of interest from the real world of people and things: "the libido that has been withdrawn from the external world has been directed to the ego and thus gives rise to an attitude which may be called narcissism."<ref>{{cite web |title=On Narcissism, 1914 by Freud |url=https://www.sigmundfreud.net/on-narcissism.jsp |website=SigmundFreud.net |publisher=Sigmund Freud |access-date=14 December 2021 |archive-date=9 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809205222/https://sigmundfreud.net/on-narcissism.jsp |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Strachey">{{cite web |vauthors=Strachey J |title=Standard Edition of the Complete Works of Sigmund Freud |url=https://www.sas.upenn.edu/~cavitch/pdf-library/Freud_SE_On_Narcissism_complete.pdf |website=sas.upenn.edu |publisher=University of Pennsylvania |access-date=14 December 2021 |archive-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806134414/https://www.sas.upenn.edu/~cavitch/pdf-library/Freud_SE_On_Narcissism_complete.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> It is a secondary narcissism because it is not a new creation but a magnification of an already existing condition (primary narcissism).


In 1925, ] conceptualized narcissism as a personality trait. His definition described individuals who are condescending, feel superior to others, are preoccupied with admiration, and exhibit a lack of empathy.<ref name="Levy">{{cite book | vauthors = Levy KN, Reynoso JS, Wasserman RH, Clarkin JF | chapter = Chapter 9, Narcissistic Personality Disorder | veditors = O'Donohue WT, Fowler KA, Lilienfeld SO |title=Personality Disorders: Toward the DSM-V |date=2007 |publisher=SAGE Publications, Inc |isbn=978-1-4129-0422-3 |page=235}}</ref> Waelder's work and his case study have been influential in the way narcissism and the clinical disorder narcissistic personality disorder are defined today.{{Citation needed|date=June 2022}} His patient was a successful scientist with an attitude of superiority, an obsession with fostering self-respect, and a lack of normal feelings of guilt. The patient was aloof and independent from others, had an inability to empathize with others, and was selfish sexually. Waelder's patient was also overly logical and analytical and valued abstract intellectual thought over the practical application of scientific knowledge.<ref name="Bergmann">{{cite book | vauthors = Bergmann MS |title=''Anatomy of Loving; Man's Quest to Know what Love'' I |date=1987 |publisher=Ballantine Books |isbn=978-0-449-90553-1 }}</ref> In 1925, ] conceptualized narcissism as a personality trait. His definition described individuals who are condescending, feel superior to others, are preoccupied with admiration, and exhibit a lack of empathy.<ref name="Levy">{{cite book | vauthors = Levy KN, Reynoso JS, Wasserman RH, Clarkin JF | chapter = Chapter 9, Narcissistic Personality Disorder | veditors = O'Donohue WT, Fowler KA, Lilienfeld SO |title=Personality Disorders: Toward the DSM-V |date=2007 |publisher=SAGE Publications, Inc |isbn=978-1-4129-0422-3 |page=235}}</ref> Waelder's work and his case study have been influential in the way narcissism and the clinical disorder narcissistic personality disorder are defined today.{{Citation needed|date=June 2022}} His patient was a successful scientist with an attitude of superiority, an obsession with fostering self-respect, and a lack of normal feelings of guilt. The patient was aloof and independent from others, had an inability to empathize with others, and was selfish sexually. Waelder's patient was also overly logical and analytical and valued abstract intellectual thought over the practical application of scientific knowledge.<ref name="Bergmann">{{cite book | vauthors = Bergmann MS |title=''Anatomy of Loving; Man's Quest to Know what Love is'' |date=1987 |publisher=Ballantine Books |isbn=978-0-449-90553-1 }}</ref>


] (1939) postulated that narcissism was on a spectrum that ranged from healthy self-esteem to a pathological state.<ref name="Levy"/> ] (1939) postulated that narcissism was on a spectrum that ranged from healthy self-esteem to a pathological state.<ref name="Levy"/>


The term entered the broader ] following the publication of '']'' by ] in 1979.<ref name="Daum">{{cite news | vauthors = Daum M |title=Narcissist -- give it a rest |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2011-jan-06-la-oe-daum-narcissism-20110106-story.html |access-date=21 December 2021 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=6 January 2011 |quote=The term has been misused and overused so flagrantly that it’s now all but meaningless when it comes to labeling truly destructive tendencies.}}</ref> Since then, social media, bloggers, and self-help authors have indiscriminately applied "narcissism"<ref name="Pilossoph">{{cite web | vauthors = Pilossoph J |title=So, you think your spouse is a narcissist? You might not want to be so quick with the label. |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/ct-wml-narcissist-reationships-love-essentially-tl-1121-20191114-7gyxff5advba7jwg2vgewwctau-story.html |website=chicagotribune.com |date=14 November 2019 |publisher=Chicago Tribune |access-date=14 November 2019 |quote= the word is extremely overused, and I don’t think people truly understand what it means}}</ref> as a label for the self-serving and for all domestic abusers.<ref name="Gay2">{{cite book | vauthors = Gay P |title=Freud: A Life for Our Time |date=May 17, 2006 |publisher=W. W. Norton & Company |isbn=978-0-393-32861-5 |page=340 |quote=Some in fact exploited it as a handy term of abuse for modern culture or as a loose synonym for bloated self-esteemed.}}</ref><ref name="Malkin">{{cite web | vauthors = Malkin C |title=Why We Need to Stop Throwing the "Narcissist" Label Around |url=https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/romance-redux/201504/why-we-need-stop-throwing-the-narcissist-label-around |website=psychologytoday.com |publisher=Psychology Today |access-date=April 12, 2015 |quote=The current promiscuous use of the term narcissist forevery minor instance of self-absorption, however, trivializes that very real pain.}}</ref> The term entered the broader ] following the publication of '']'' by ] in 1979.<ref name="Daum">{{cite news |vauthors=Daum M |title=Narcissist -- give it a rest |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2011-jan-06-la-oe-daum-narcissism-20110106-story.html |access-date=21 December 2021 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=6 January 2011 |quote=The term has been misused and overused so flagrantly that it’s now all but meaningless when it comes to labeling truly destructive tendencies. |archive-date=21 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211221140504/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2011-jan-06-la-oe-daum-narcissism-20110106-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Since then, social media, bloggers, and self-help authors have indiscriminately applied "narcissism"<ref name="Pilossoph">{{cite web |vauthors=Pilossoph J |title=So, you think your spouse is a narcissist? You might not want to be so quick with the label. |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/ct-wml-narcissist-reationships-love-essentially-tl-1121-20191114-7gyxff5advba7jwg2vgewwctau-story.html |website=chicagotribune.com |date=14 November 2019 |publisher=Chicago Tribune |access-date=14 November 2019 |quote=the word is extremely overused, and I don’t think people truly understand what it means |archive-date=15 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191115114508/https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/ct-wml-narcissist-reationships-love-essentially-tl-1121-20191114-7gyxff5advba7jwg2vgewwctau-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> as a label for the self-serving and for all domestic abusers.<ref name="Gay2">{{cite book | vauthors = Gay P |title=Freud: A Life for Our Time |date=May 17, 2006 |publisher=W. W. Norton & Company |isbn=978-0-393-32861-5 |page=340 |quote=Some in fact exploited it as a handy term of abuse for modern culture or as a loose synonym for bloated self-esteemed.}}</ref><ref name="Malkin">{{cite web | vauthors = Malkin C |title=Why We Need to Stop Throwing the "Narcissist" Label Around |url=https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/romance-redux/201504/why-we-need-stop-throwing-the-narcissist-label-around |website=psychologytoday.com |publisher=Psychology Today |access-date=April 12, 2015 |quote=The current promiscuous use of the term narcissist forevery minor instance of self-absorption, however, trivializes that very real pain.}}</ref>


==Characteristics== ==Characteristics==
Three dimensions of narcissism as a personality variable have been delineated: agentic extraversion (e.g. dominance, grandiosity), self-centred antagonism (e.g., entitlement, manipulativeness), and narcissistic neuroticism (e.g. shame, need for admiration).<ref name=":0">Crowe, M. L., Weiss, B., Lynam, D. R., Campbell, W. K., & Miller, J. D. (2022). Narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder: Moving toward a trifurcated model. ''Journal of Personality''.</ref>


===Normal and healthy levels of narcissism=== ===Normal and healthy levels of narcissism===
Some psychologists suggest that a moderate level of narcissism is supportive of good psychological health. Self-esteem works as a mediator between narcissism and psychological health. Elevated self-esteem, in moderation, supports resilience and ambition, but excessive self-focus can distort social relationships.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Jackson |first1=Joshua J. |last2=Beck |first2=Emorie D. |date=2021 |title=Using idiographic models to distinguish personality and psychopathology |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jopy.12634 |journal=Journal of Personality |language=en |volume=89 |issue=5 |pages=1026–1043 |doi=10.1111/jopy.12634 |pmid=33748991 |issn=0022-3506}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Sedikides C, Rudich EA, Gregg AP, Kumashiro M, Rusbult C | title = Are normal narcissists psychologically healthy?: self-esteem matters | journal = Journal of Personality and Social Psychology | volume = 87 | issue = 3 | pages = 400–416 | date = September 2004 | pmid = 15382988 | doi = 10.1037/0022-3514.87.3.400 | s2cid = 12903591 | hdl = 1871/17274 | url = https://research.vu.nl/en/publications/155e777a-4d9d-4417-8cf2-f6e6403e2ee7 | access-date = 2022-11-20 | archive-date = 2023-08-02 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230802165625/https://research.vu.nl/en/publications/are-normal-narcissists-psychologically-healthy-self-esteem-matter | url-status = live }}</ref>
In the history of psychoanalytics, a ] has been viewed as an essential component of mature ] and basic self-worth.<ref name=":5">{{Cite journal| vauthors = Federn E |year=1972|title=Thirty-five years with Freud: In honour of the hundredth anniversary of Paul Federn, M.D.|url=https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1972-28038-001|journal=Journal of Clinical Psychology|volume=32|pages=18–34|via=Wiley Online Library}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web| vauthors = Becker E |date=1973|title=The Denial of Death|url=https://mindsplain.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Denial_Of_Death_Chapter_1.pdf|access-date=2020-11-04|publisher=The Free Press}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web| vauthors = Kohut H |date=1966|title=Forms and Transformation of Narcissism |url= https://www.narcissisticabuserehab.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Heinz-Kohut-Forms-and-Transformation-of-Narcissism.pdf |access-date= 2020-11-04 |website= Narcissistic Abuse Rehab |publisher=Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association }}</ref> In essence, narcissistic behaviors are a system of intrapersonal and interpersonal strategies devoted to protecting one's self-esteem.<ref name="Horton_2006">{{cite journal |vauthors=Horton RS, Bleau G, Drwecki B |date=April 2006 |title=Parenting narcissus: what are the links between parenting and narcissism? |journal=Journal of Personality |volume=74 |issue=2 |pages=345–376 |citeseerx=10.1.1.526.7237 |doi=10.1111/j.1467-6494.2005.00378.x |pmid=16529580}} See p.&nbsp;347.</ref>

It has been suggested that healthy narcissism is correlated with good psychological health. Self-esteem works as a mediator between narcissism and psychological health. Therefore, because of their elevated self-esteem, deriving from self-perceptions of competence and likability, high narcissists are relatively free of worry and gloom.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Sedikides C, Rudich EA, Gregg AP, Kumashiro M, Rusbult C | title = Are normal narcissists psychologically healthy?: self-esteem matters | journal = Journal of Personality and Social Psychology | volume = 87 | issue = 3 | pages = 400–416 | date = September 2004 | pmid = 15382988 | doi = 10.1037/0022-3514.87.3.400 | s2cid = 12903591 | hdl = 1871/17274 | url = https://research.vu.nl/en/publications/155e777a-4d9d-4417-8cf2-f6e6403e2ee7 }}</ref>


===Destructive levels of narcissism=== ===Destructive levels of narcissism===
Narcissism, in and of itself, is a normal personality trait. However, high levels of narcissistic behavior can be damaging and self-defeating.<ref name="Kohut1971">{{Cite book | vauthors = Kohut H |title=The Analysis of the Self. A systematic approach to the psychoanalytic treatment of narcissistic personality disorders |publisher=The University of Chicago Press |year=1971 |location=London | isbn = 978-0-226-45014-8 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Vazire |first1=Simine |last2=Funder |first2=David C. |title=Impulsivity and the Self-Defeating Behavior of Narcissists |journal=Personality and Social Psychology Review |date=May 2006 |volume=10 |issue=2 |pages=154–165 |doi=10.1207/s15327957pspr1002_4 |pmid=16768652 |s2cid=1924100 }}</ref> Destructive narcissism is the constant exhibition of a few of the intense characteristics usually associated with pathological Narcissistic Personality Disorder such as a "pervasive pattern of ]", which is characterized by feelings of entitlement and superiority, arrogant or haughty behaviors, and a generalized lack of empathy and concern for others.<ref name="APA"/> On a spectrum, destructive narcissism is more extreme than healthy narcissism but not as extreme as the pathological condition.<ref>{{cite book | vauthors = Brown NW | title = The Destructive Narcissistic Pattern | date = 1998 | publisher = Greenwood Publishing | isbn = 978-0-275-96017-9 }} While narcissism, in and of itself, can be considered a normal personality trait, high levels of narcissistic behavior can be harmful to both self and others.<ref name="Kohut1971">{{Cite book | vauthors = Kohut H |title=The Analysis of the Self. A systematic approach to the psychoanalytic treatment of narcissistic personality disorders |publisher=The University of Chicago Press |year=1971 |location=London | isbn = 978-0-226-45014-8 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Vazire |first1=Simine |last2=Funder |first2=David C. |title=Impulsivity and the Self-Defeating Behavior of Narcissists |journal=Personality and Social Psychology Review |date=May 2006 |volume=10 |issue=2 |pages=154–165 |doi=10.1207/s15327957pspr1002_4 |pmid=16768652 |s2cid=1924100 }}</ref> Destructive narcissism is the constant exhibition of a few of the intense characteristics usually associated with pathological narcissistic personality disorder such as a "pervasive pattern of ]", which is characterized by feelings of entitlement and superiority, arrogant or haughty behaviors, and a generalized lack of empathy and concern for others.<ref name="APA"/> On a spectrum, destructive narcissism is more extreme than healthy narcissism but not as extreme as the pathological condition.<ref>{{cite book | vauthors = Brown NW | title = The Destructive Narcissistic Pattern | date = 1998 | publisher = Greenwood Publishing | isbn = 978-0-275-96017-9 }}
</ref> </ref>


===Pathological levels of narcissism=== ===Pathological levels of narcissism===
{{Main|Narcissistic personality disorder}} {{Main|Narcissistic personality disorder}}
Extremely high levels of narcissistic behavior are considered ].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Dashineau |first1=Samantha C. |last2=Edershile |first2=Elizabeth A. |last3=Simms |first3=Leonard J. |last4=Wright |first4=Aidan G. C. |title=Pathological narcissism and psychosocial functioning. |journal=Personality Disorders: Theory, Research, and Treatment |date=September 2019 |volume=10 |issue=5 |pages=473–478 |doi=10.1037/per0000347 |pmid=31259606 |pmc=6710132 }}</ref> The pathological condition of narcissism is, as Freud suggested, a magnified, extreme manifestation of healthy narcissism. Freud's idea of narcissism described a pathology that manifests itself in the inability to love others, a lack of empathy, emptiness, boredom, and an unremitting need to search for power, while making the person unavailable to others.<ref name="Kohut1971"/> The clinical theorists ], ], and ] all saw pathological narcissism as a possible outcome in response to unempathic and inconsistent early childhood interactions. They suggested that narcissists try to compensate in adult relationships.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1207/S15327965PLI1204_1 | vauthors = Morf CC, Rhodewalt F |author2-link= Frederick Rhodewalt|title=Unraveling the Paradoxes of Narcissism: A Dynamic Self-Regulatory Processing Model |journal=Psychological Inquiry |volume=12 |issue=4 |pages=177–96 |year=2001 |s2cid= 2004430 |url= https://zenodo.org/record/1236233 }}</ref> German psychoanalyst ] (1885–1952) also saw the narcissistic personality as a temperament trait molded by a certain kind of early environment.{{Citation needed | date=August 2023}} Extremely high levels of narcissistic behavior are considered ].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Dashineau |first1=Samantha C. |last2=Edershile |first2=Elizabeth A. |last3=Simms |first3=Leonard J. |last4=Wright |first4=Aidan G. C. |title=Pathological narcissism and psychosocial functioning. |journal=Personality Disorders: Theory, Research, and Treatment |date=September 2019 |volume=10 |issue=5 |pages=473–478 |doi=10.1037/per0000347 |pmid=31259606 |pmc=6710132 }}</ref> The pathological condition of narcissism is a magnified, extreme manifestation of healthy narcissism. It manifests itself in the inability to love others, lack of empathy, emptiness, boredom, and an unremitting need to search for power, while making the person unavailable to others.<ref name="Kohut1971"/> The clinical theorists ], ], and ] all saw pathological narcissism as a possible outcome in response to unempathetic and inconsistent early childhood interactions. They suggested that narcissists try to compensate in adult relationships.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1207/S15327965PLI1204_1 |vauthors=Morf CC, Rhodewalt F |author2-link=Frederick Rhodewalt |title=Unraveling the Paradoxes of Narcissism: A Dynamic Self-Regulatory Processing Model |journal=Psychological Inquiry |volume=12 |issue=4 |pages=177–96 |year=2001 |s2cid=2004430 |url=https://zenodo.org/record/1236233 |access-date=2019-07-04 |archive-date=2021-10-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018014344/https://zenodo.org/record/1236233 |url-status=live }}</ref> German psychoanalyst ] (1885–1952) also saw the narcissistic personality as a temperament trait molded by a certain kind of early environment.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-03 |title=Karen Horney: Life, Theories, and Contributions to Psychology |url=https://www.simplypsychology.org/karen-horney-biography.html |access-date=2024-01-22 |language=en-US}}</ref>


===Heritability=== ===Heritability===
] studies using twins have shown that narcissistic traits, as measured by standardized tests, are often inherited. Narcissism was found to have a high heritability score (0.64) indicating that the ] of this trait in the identical twins was significantly influenced by genetics as compared to an environmental causation. It has also been shown that there is a continuum or spectrum of narcissistic traits ranging from normal to a pathological personality.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Livesley WJ, Jang KL, Jackson DN, Vernon PA | title = Genetic and environmental contributions to dimensions of personality disorder | journal = The American Journal of Psychiatry | volume = 150 | issue = 12 | pages = 1826–1831 | date = December 1993 | pmid = 8238637 | doi = 10.1176/ajp.150.12.1826 }}</ref><ref name = "DeWall_2011">{{Cite journal | vauthors = DeWall CN, Pond Jr RS, Campbell WK, Twenge JM |date=August 2011 |title=Tuning in to psychological change: Linguistic markers of psychological traits and emotions over time in popular U.S. song lyrics. |journal=Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts |volume=5 |issue=3 |pages=200–207 |doi=10.1037/a0023195 |issn=1931-390X}}</ref> Furthermore, evidence suggests that individual elements of narcissism have their own heritability score. For example, intrapersonal ] has a score of 0.23, and interpersonal ] has a score of 0.35.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Luo YL, Cai H, Song H | title = A behavioral genetic study of intrapersonal and interpersonal dimensions of narcissism | journal = PLOS ONE | volume = 9 | issue = 4 | pages = e93403 | date = 2014-04-02 | pmid = 24695616 | pmc = 3973692 | doi = 10.1371/journal.pone.0093403 | doi-access = free | bibcode = 2014PLoSO...993403L }}</ref> While the genetic impact on narcissism levels is significant, it is not the only factor at play. ] studies using twins have shown that narcissistic traits, as measured by standardized tests, are often inherited.<ref>Luo, Y. L., & Cai, H. (2018). The etiology of narcissism: A review of behavioral genetic studies. Handbook of Trait Narcissism: Key Advances, Research Methods, and Controversies, 149-156.</ref> Narcissism was found to have a high heritability score (0.64) indicating that the ] of this trait in the identical twins was significantly influenced by genetics as compared to an environmental causation. It has also been shown that there is a continuum or spectrum of narcissistic traits ranging from normal to a pathological personality.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Livesley WJ, Jang KL, Jackson DN, Vernon PA | title = Genetic and environmental contributions to dimensions of personality disorder | journal = The American Journal of Psychiatry | volume = 150 | issue = 12 | pages = 1826–1831 | date = December 1993 | pmid = 8238637 | doi = 10.1176/ajp.150.12.1826 }}</ref><ref name = "DeWall_2011">{{Cite journal | vauthors = DeWall CN, Pond Jr RS, Campbell WK, Twenge JM |date=August 2011 |title=Tuning in to psychological change: Linguistic markers of psychological traits and emotions over time in popular U.S. song lyrics. |journal=Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts |volume=5 |issue=3 |pages=200–207 |doi=10.1037/a0023195 |issn=1931-390X|citeseerx=10.1.1.684.1672 }}</ref> Furthermore, evidence suggests that individual elements of narcissism have their own heritability score. For example, intrapersonal ] has a score of 0.23, and interpersonal ] has a score of 0.35.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Luo YL, Cai H, Song H | title = A behavioral genetic study of intrapersonal and interpersonal dimensions of narcissism | journal = PLOS ONE | volume = 9 | issue = 4 | pages = e93403 | date = 2014-04-02 | pmid = 24695616 | pmc = 3973692 | doi = 10.1371/journal.pone.0093403 | doi-access = free | bibcode = 2014PLoSO...993403L }}</ref> While the genetic impact on narcissism levels is significant, it is not the only factor at play.


==Expressions of narcissism== ==Expressions of narcissism==


=== Primary Expressions === ===Primary expressions===
Two primary expressions of narcissism have been identified: grandiose ("thick-skinned") and vulnerable ("thin-skinned"). Recent accounts posit that the core of narcissism is self-centred antagonism (or "entitled self-importance"), namely selfishness, entitlement, lack of empathy, and devaluation of others.<ref name=":0" /> Grandiosity and vulnerability are seen as different expressions of this antagonistic core, arising from individual differences in the strength of the approach and avoidance motivational systems.<ref name=":1">Krizan, Z., & Herlache, A. D. (2018). The narcissism spectrum model: A synthetic view of narcissistic personality. ''Personality and Social Psychology Review'', ''22''(1), 3-31.</ref> Two primary expressions of narcissism have been identified: grandiose ("thick-skinned") and vulnerable ("thin-skinned"). Recent accounts posit that the core of narcissism is self-centred antagonism (or "entitled self-importance"), namely selfishness, entitlement, lack of empathy, and devaluation of others.<ref name=":0">Crowe, M. L., Weiss, B., Lynam, D. R., Campbell, W. K., & Miller, J. D. (2022). Narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder: Moving toward a trifurcated model. ''Journal of Personality''.</ref> Grandiosity and vulnerability are seen as different expressions of this antagonistic core, arising from individual differences in the strength of the approach and avoidance motivational systems.<ref name=":1">Krizan, Z., & Herlache, A. D. (2018). The narcissism spectrum model: A synthetic view of narcissistic personality. ''Personality and Social Psychology Review'', ''22''(1), 3-31.</ref> Some researchers have posited that genuine narcissists may fall into the vulnerable narcissism subtype, whereas grandiose narcissism might be a form of psychopathy.<ref name="g197">{{cite journal |last=Kowalchyk |first=Mary |last2=Palmieri |first2=Helena |last3=Conte |first3=Elena |last4=Wallisch |first4=Pascal |year=2021 |title=Narcissism through the lens of performative self-elevation |journal=Personality and Individual Differences |publisher=Elsevier BV |volume=177 |page=110780 |doi=10.1016/j.paid.2021.110780 |issn=0191-8869 |doi-access=free}}</ref>


'''Grandiose Narcissism''' ====Grandiose narcissism====
Narcissistic grandiosity is thought to arise from a combination of the antagonistic core with temperamental boldness—defined by positive emotionality, social dominance, reward-seeking and risk-taking. Grandiosity is defined—in addition to antagonism—by a confident, exhibitionistic and manipulative self-regulatory style:<ref name=":1" />


# High self-esteem and a clear sense of uniqueness and superiority, with ] of success and power, and lofty ambitions.
Narcissistic grandiosity is thought to arise from a combination of the antagonistic core with temperamental boldness—defined by positive emotionality, social dominance, reward-seeking and risk-taking. Grandiosity is defined—in addition to antagonism—by a confident, exhibitionistic and manipulative self-regulatory style.<ref name=":1" />
# Social potency, marked by exhibitionistic, authoritative, charismatic and self-promoting interpersonal behaviors.
# Exploitative, self-serving relational dynamics; short-term relationship transactions defined by manipulation and privileging of personal gain over other benefits of socialization.


====Vulnerable narcissism====
# High self-esteem and a clear sense of uniqueness and superiority, with fantasies of success and power, and lofty ambitions
Narcissistic vulnerability is thought to arise from a combination of the antagonistic core with temperamental reactivity—defined by negative emotionality, social avoidance, passivity and marked proneness to rage. Vulnerability is defined—in addition to antagonism—by a shy, vindictive and needy self-regulatory style:<ref name=":1" />
# Social potency, marked by exhibitionistic, authoritative, charismatic and self-promoting interpersonal behaviours
# Exploitative, self-serving relational dynamics; short-term relationship transactions defined by manipulation and privileging of personal gain over other benefits of socialisation

'''Vulnerable Narcissism'''

Narcissistic vulnerability is thought to arise from a combination of the antagonistic core with temperamental reactivity—defined by negative emotionality, social avoidance, passivity and marked proneness to rage. Vulnerability is defined—in addition to antagonism—by a shy, vindictive and needy self-regulatory style.<ref name=":1" />


# Low and contingent self-esteem, unstable and unclear sense of self, and resentment of others' success # Low and contingent self-esteem, unstable and unclear sense of self, and resentment of others' success
Line 73: Line 67:
# Needy, obsessive relational dynamics; long-term relationship transactions defined by an excessive need for admiration, approval and support, and vengefulness when needs are unmet # Needy, obsessive relational dynamics; long-term relationship transactions defined by an excessive need for admiration, approval and support, and vengefulness when needs are unmet


=== Other Expressions === ===Other expressions===
'''Sexual'''


====Sexual====
Sexual narcissism has been described as an ] pattern of sexual behavior that involves an inflated sense of sexual ability or sexual entitlement, sometimes in the form of extramarital affairs. This can be ] for low self-esteem or an inability to sustain true intimacy.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Hurlbert DF, Apt C | title = Sexual narcissism and the abusive male | journal = Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy | volume = 17 | issue = 4 | pages = 279–292 | year = 1991 | pmid = 1815094 | doi = 10.1080/00926239108404352 }}</ref> ] has been described as an ] pattern of sexual behavior that involves an inflated sense of sexual ability or sexual entitlement, sometimes in the form of extramarital affairs. This can be ] for low self-esteem or an inability to sustain true intimacy.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Hurlbert DF, Apt C | title = Sexual narcissism and the abusive male | journal = Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy | volume = 17 | issue = 4 | pages = 279–292 | year = 1991 | pmid = 1815094 | doi = 10.1080/00926239108404352 }}</ref>


While this behavioral pattern is believed to be more common in men than in women,<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Hurlbert DF, Apt C, Gasar S, Wilson NE, Murphy Y | title = Sexual narcissism: a validation study | journal = Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy | volume = 20 | issue = 1 | pages = 24–34 | year = 1994 | pmid = 8169963 | doi = 10.1080/00926239408403414 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1007/s11199-008-9403-9 | vauthors = Ryan KM, Weikel K, Sprechini G |title=Gender differences in narcissism and courtship violence in dating couples |journal=Sex Roles |volume=58 |pages=802–13 |year=2008 |issue=11–12 |s2cid=19749572}}</ref> it occurs in both males and females who compensate for feelings of sexual inadequacy by becoming overly proud or obsessed with their ] or femininity.<ref>{{cite book | vauthors = Schoenewolf G |title=Psychoanalytic Centrism: Collected Papers of a Neoclassical Psychoanalyst |publisher=Living Center Press |year=2013 | isbn = 978-1-4811-5541-0 }}</ref> While this behavioral pattern is believed to be more common in men than in women,<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Hurlbert DF, Apt C, Gasar S, Wilson NE, Murphy Y | title = Sexual narcissism: a validation study | journal = Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy | volume = 20 | issue = 1 | pages = 24–34 | year = 1994 | pmid = 8169963 | doi = 10.1080/00926239408403414 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1007/s11199-008-9403-9 | vauthors = Ryan KM, Weikel K, Sprechini G |title=Gender differences in narcissism and courtship violence in dating couples |journal=Sex Roles |volume=58 |pages=802–13 |year=2008 |issue=11–12 |s2cid=19749572}}</ref> it occurs in both males and females who compensate for feelings of sexual inadequacy by becoming overly proud or obsessed with their ] or femininity.<ref>{{cite book | vauthors = Schoenewolf G |title=Psychoanalytic Centrism: Collected Papers of a Neoclassical Psychoanalyst |publisher=Living Center Press |year=2013 | isbn = 978-1-4811-5541-0 }}</ref>
Line 82: Line 76:
The controversial condition referred to as "]" is believed by some experts to be sexual narcissism or sexual compulsivity, rather than an addictive behavior.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1177/1066480795032003 | vauthors = Apt C, Hurlbert DF |title=Sexual Narcissism: Addiction or Anachronism? |journal=The Family Journal |volume=3 |pages=103–07 |year=1995 |issue=2 |s2cid=143630223}}</ref> The controversial condition referred to as "]" is believed by some experts to be sexual narcissism or sexual compulsivity, rather than an addictive behavior.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1177/1066480795032003 | vauthors = Apt C, Hurlbert DF |title=Sexual Narcissism: Addiction or Anachronism? |journal=The Family Journal |volume=3 |pages=103–07 |year=1995 |issue=2 |s2cid=143630223}}</ref>


'''Parental'''{{Main|Narcissistic parents}} ====Parental====
{{Main|Narcissistic parents}}
Narcissistic parents often see their children as extensions of themselves, and encourage the children to act in ways that support the parents' emotional and self-esteem needs.<ref name="co">{{cite web | vauthors = Rapport A | url = http://www.alanrappoport.com/pdf/Co-Narcissism%20Article.pdf | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171118093528/http://www.alanrappoport.com/pdf/Co-Narcissism%20Article.pdf | archive-date = 18 November 2017 | title = Co-Narcissism: How We Adapt to Narcissistic Parents. | work = The Therapist | date = 2005 }}</ref> Due to their vulnerability, children may be significantly affected by this behavior.<ref name=":02">{{cite journal | vauthors = Wilson S, Durbin CE | title = Dyadic parent-child interaction during early childhood: contributions of parental and child personality traits | journal = Journal of Personality | volume = 80 | issue = 5 | pages = 1313–1338 | date = October 2012 | pmid = 22433002 | doi = 10.1111/j.1467-6494.2011.00760.x }}</ref> To meet the parents' needs, the child may sacrifice their own wants and feelings.<ref>{{cite book | vauthors = Kepner JI | title = Body Process: A Gestalt Approach to Working with the Body in Psychotherapy | date = 1997 | page = 73 | isbn = 978-1-315-79898-1 }}</ref> A child subjected to this type of parenting may struggle in adulthood with their intimate relationships. Narcissistic parents often see their children as extensions of themselves and encourage the children to act in ways that support the parents' emotional and self-esteem needs.<ref name="co">{{cite web | vauthors = Rapport A | url = http://www.alanrappoport.com/pdf/Co-Narcissism%20Article.pdf | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171118093528/http://www.alanrappoport.com/pdf/Co-Narcissism%20Article.pdf | archive-date = 18 November 2017 | title = Co-Narcissism: How We Adapt to Narcissistic Parents. | work = The Therapist | date = 2005 }}</ref> Due to their vulnerability, children may be significantly affected by this behavior.<ref name=":02">{{cite journal | vauthors = Wilson S, Durbin CE | title = Dyadic parent-child interaction during early childhood: contributions of parental and child personality traits | journal = Journal of Personality | volume = 80 | issue = 5 | pages = 1313–1338 | date = October 2012 | pmid = 22433002 | doi = 10.1111/j.1467-6494.2011.00760.x }}</ref> To meet the parents' needs, the child may sacrifice their own wants and feelings.<ref>{{cite book | vauthors = Kepner JI | title = Body Process: A Gestalt Approach to Working with the Body in Psychotherapy | date = 1997 | page = 73 | isbn = 978-1-315-79898-1 }}</ref> A child subjected to this type of parenting may struggle in adulthood with their intimate relationships.


In extreme situations, this parenting style can result in estranged relationships with the children, coupled with feelings of resentment, and in some cases, self-destructive tendencies.<ref name="co"/> In extreme situations, this parenting style can result in estranged relationships with the children, coupled with feelings of resentment, and in some cases, self-destructive tendencies.<ref name="co"/>


Origins of narcissism in children can often come from the social learning theory. The social learning theory proposes that social behavior is learned by observing and imitating others behavior. This suggests that children are anticipated to grow up to be narcissistic when their parents overvalue them.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Brummelman E, Thomaes S, Nelemans SA, Orobio de Castro B, Overbeek G, Bushman BJ | title = Origins of narcissism in children | journal = Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America | volume = 112 | issue = 12 | pages = 3659–3662 | date = March 2015 | pmid = 25775577 | pmc = 4378434 | doi = 10.1073/pnas.1420870112 | bibcode = 2015PNAS..112.3659B | doi-access = free }}</ref> Origins of narcissism in children can often come from the social learning theory. The social learning theory proposes that social behavior is learned by observing and imitating others' behavior. This suggests that children are anticipated to grow up to be narcissistic when their parents overvalue them.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Brummelman E, Thomaes S, Nelemans SA, Orobio de Castro B, Overbeek G, Bushman BJ | title = Origins of narcissism in children | journal = Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America | volume = 112 | issue = 12 | pages = 3659–3662 | date = March 2015 | pmid = 25775577 | pmc = 4378434 | doi = 10.1073/pnas.1420870112 | bibcode = 2015PNAS..112.3659B | doi-access = free }}</ref>


====Workplace====
'''Workplace narcissism'''{{Main articles|Narcissism in the workplace}}
* '''Professionals.''' There is a compulsion of some professionals to constantly assert their competence, even when they are wrong.<ref name = "Banja_2004">{{cite book | vauthors = Banja JD |title=Medical errors and medical narcissism |date=2004 |publisher=Jones and Bartlett Publishers |location=Sudbury, Mass. |isbn=978-0-7637-8361-7}}</ref><ref name="banja2">{{cite interview | vauthors = Banja J | interviewer = Rangus E | date = 7 February 2005 | url = http://www.emory.edu/EMORY_REPORT/erarchive/2005/February/February7/sandr1.htm | title = John Banja: Interview with the clinical ethicist }}</ref> Professional narcissism can lead otherwise capable, and even exceptional, professionals to fall into narcissistic traps. "Most professionals work on cultivating a self that exudes authority, control, knowledge, competence and respectability. It's the narcissist in us all—we dread appearing stupid or incompetent."<ref name = "Banja_2004" /> {{Main|Narcissism in the workplace}}There is a compulsion of some professionals to constantly assert their competence, even when they are wrong.<ref name="Banja_2004">{{cite book | vauthors = Banja JD |title=Medical errors and medical narcissism |date=2004 |publisher=Jones and Bartlett Publishers |location=Sudbury, Mass. |isbn=978-0-7637-8361-7}}</ref><ref name="banja2">{{cite interview | vauthors = Banja J | interviewer = Rangus E | date = 7 February 2005 | url = https://www.emory.edu/EMORY_REPORT/erarchive/2005/February/February7/sandr1.htm | title = John Banja: Interview with the clinical ethicist | access-date = 18 November 2023 | archive-date = 18 November 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20231118185431/https://www.emory.edu/EMORY_REPORT/erarchive/2005/February/February7/sandr1.htm | url-status = live }}</ref> Professional narcissism can lead otherwise capable, and even exceptional, professionals to fall into narcissistic traps. "Most professionals work on cultivating a self that exudes authority, control, knowledge, competence and respectability. It's the narcissist in us all—we dread appearing stupid or incompetent."<ref name="Banja_2004" />
* '''Executives.''' Executives are often provided with potential narcissistic triggers:
** inanimate – ]s like company cars, company-issued ], or prestigious offices with window views; and
** animate ] and ] from colleagues and subordinates.<ref name="Dubrin">{{cite book | vauthors = DuBrin AJ |title=Narcissism in the Workplace: Research, opinion and practice. | publisher = Edward Elgar Publishing |date=2012 | isbn = 978-1-78100-136-3 }}</ref>{{rp|143}}
: Narcissism has been linked to a range of potential leadership problems ranging from poor motivational skills to risky decision making, and in extreme cases, white-collar crime.<ref name="Brunell">{{cite journal | vauthors = Brunell AB, Gentry WA, Campbell WK, Hoffman BJ, Kuhnert KW, Demarree KG | title = Leader emergence: the case of the narcissistic leader | journal = Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin | volume = 34 | issue = 12 | pages = 1663–1676 | date = December 2008 | pmid = 18794326 | doi = 10.1177/0146167208324101 | url = http://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/d9c9/4ab638f9182a79e96f7be1bcee582bab9c1c.pdf | url-status = dead | s2cid = 28823065 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200605041324/http://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/d9c9/4ab638f9182a79e96f7be1bcee582bab9c1c.pdf | archive-date = 2020-06-05 }}</ref> High-profile corporate leaders that place an extreme emphasis on ] may yield positive short-term benefits for their organizations, but ultimately it drags down individual employees as well as entire companies.<ref>{{cite book | vauthors = Hill V | date = 2005 | title = Corporate Narcissism in Accounting Firms Australia | publisher = Pengus Books | location = Australia }}</ref>


Executives are often provided with potential narcissistic triggers. Inanimate triggers include ]s like company cars, company-issued ], or prestigious offices with window views; animate triggers include ] and ] from colleagues and subordinates.<ref name="Dubrin">{{cite book | vauthors = DuBrin AJ |title=Narcissism in the Workplace: Research, opinion and practice. | publisher = Edward Elgar Publishing |date=2012 | isbn = 978-1-78100-136-3 }}</ref>{{rp|143}}
: Subordinates may find everyday offers of support swiftly turn them into enabling sources, unless they are very careful to maintain proper boundaries.<ref name="Dubrin" />{{rp|143, 181}}


Narcissism has been linked to a range of potential leadership problems ranging from poor motivational skills to risky decision making, and in extreme cases, white-collar crime.<ref name="Brunell">{{cite journal | vauthors = Brunell AB, Gentry WA, Campbell WK, Hoffman BJ, Kuhnert KW, Demarree KG | title = Leader emergence: the case of the narcissistic leader | journal = Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin | volume = 34 | issue = 12 | pages = 1663–1676 | date = December 2008 | pmid = 18794326 | doi = 10.1177/0146167208324101 | url = http://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/d9c9/4ab638f9182a79e96f7be1bcee582bab9c1c.pdf | url-status = dead | s2cid = 28823065 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200605041324/http://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/d9c9/4ab638f9182a79e96f7be1bcee582bab9c1c.pdf | archive-date = 2020-06-05 }}</ref> High-profile corporate leaders that place an extreme emphasis on ] may yield positive short-term benefits for their organizations, but ultimately it drags down individual employees as well as entire companies.<ref>{{cite book | vauthors = Hill V | date = 2005 | title = Corporate Narcissism in Accounting Firms Australia | publisher = Pengus Books | location = Australia }}</ref>
: Studies examining the role of personality in the rise to leadership have shown that individuals who rise to leadership positions can be described as inter-personally dominant, extroverted, and socially skilled.<ref name="Brunell" /> When examining the correlation of narcissism in the rise to leadership positions, narcissists who are often inter-personally dominant, extroverted, and socially skilled, were also likely to rise to leadership but were more likely to emerge as leaders in situations where they were not known, such as in outside hires (versus internal promotions). Paradoxically, narcissism can present as characteristics that facilitate an individual's rise to leadership, and ultimately lead that person to underachieve or even to fail.<ref name="Brunell" />


Subordinates may find everyday offers of support swiftly turn them into enabling sources, unless they are very careful to maintain proper boundaries.<ref name="Dubrin" />{{rp|143, 181}}
* '''General workforce'''. Narcissism can create problems in the general workforce. For example, individuals high in narcissism inventories are more likely to engage in counterproductive behavior that harms organizations or other people in the workplace.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Judge TA, LePine JA, Rich BL | title = Loving yourself abundantly: relationship of the narcissistic personality to self- and other perceptions of workplace deviance, leadership, and task and contextual performance | journal = The Journal of Applied Psychology | volume = 91 | issue = 4 | pages = 762–776 | date = July 2006 | pmid = 16834504 | doi = 10.1037/0021-9010.91.4.762 }}</ref> Aggressive (and counterproductive) behaviors tend to surface when self-esteem is threatened.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Bushman BJ, Baumeister RF | title = Threatened egotism, narcissism, self-esteem, and direct and displaced aggression: does self-love or self-hate lead to violence? | journal = Journal of Personality and Social Psychology | volume = 75 | issue = 1 | pages = 219–229 | date = July 1998 | pmid = 9686460 | doi = 10.1037/0022-3514.75.1.219 | s2cid = 145798157 | citeseerx = 10.1.1.337.396 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Penney LM, Spector PE | year = 2002 | title = Narcissism and counterproductive work behavior: Do bigger egos mean bigger problems? | journal = International Journal of Selection and Assessment | volume = 10 | issue = 1–2| pages = 126–34 | doi = 10.1111/1468-2389.00199 }}</ref> Individuals high in narcissism have fragile self-esteem and are easily threatened. One study found that employees who are high in narcissism are more likely to perceive the behaviors of others in the workplace as abusive and threatening than individuals who are low in narcissism.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Wislar JS, Richman JA, Fendrich M, Flaherty JA | year = 2002 | title = Sexual harassment, generalized workplace abuse and drinking outcomes: The role of personality vulnerability | journal = Journal of Drug Issues | volume = 32 | issue = 4| pages = 1071–88 | doi=10.1177/002204260203200404| s2cid = 145170557 }}</ref>
'''Celebrity narcissism'''


Studies examining the role of personality in the rise to leadership have shown that individuals who rise to leadership positions can be described as inter-personally dominant, extraverted, and socially skilled.<ref name="Brunell" /> When examining the correlation of narcissism in the rise to leadership positions, narcissists who are often inter-personally dominant, extraverted, and socially skilled, were also likely to rise to leadership but were more likely to emerge as leaders in situations where they were not known, such as in outside hires (versus internal promotions). Paradoxically, narcissism can present as characteristics that facilitate an individual's rise to leadership, and ultimately lead that person to underachieve or even to fail.<ref name="Brunell" />
Celebrity narcissism (sometimes referred to as ''Acquired situational narcissism'') is a form of narcissism that develops in late adolescence or adulthood, brought on by wealth, fame and the other trappings of ]. Celebrity narcissism develops after childhood, and is triggered and supported by the celebrity-obsessed society. Fans, assistants and tabloid media all play into the idea that the person really is vastly more important than other people, triggering a narcissistic problem that might have been only a tendency, or latent, and helping it to become a full-blown personality disorder. "] says that what happens to celebrities is that they get so used to people looking at them that they stop looking back at other people."<ref name = "Crompton_2007">{{cite book | vauthors = Crompton S | title = All about me: Loving a narcissist. | location = London | publisher = Collins | date = 2007 | page = 171 | isbn = 978-0-00-724795-0 }}</ref> In its most extreme presentation and symptoms, it is indistinguishable from ], differing only in its late onset and its environmental support by large numbers of fans. "The lack of social norms, controls, and of people centering them makes these people believe they're invulnerable,"<ref name = "Crompton_2007" /> so that the person may suffer from unstable relationships, substance abuse or erratic behaviors.


Narcissism can also create problems in the general workforce. For example, individuals high in narcissism inventories are more likely to engage in counterproductive behavior that harms organizations or other people in the workplace.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Judge TA, LePine JA, Rich BL | title = Loving yourself abundantly: relationship of the narcissistic personality to self- and other perceptions of workplace deviance, leadership, and task and contextual performance | journal = The Journal of Applied Psychology | volume = 91 | issue = 4 | pages = 762–776 | date = July 2006 | pmid = 16834504 | doi = 10.1037/0021-9010.91.4.762 }}</ref> Aggressive (and counterproductive) behaviors tend to surface when self-esteem is threatened.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Bushman BJ, Baumeister RF | title = Threatened egotism, narcissism, self-esteem, and direct and displaced aggression: does self-love or self-hate lead to violence? | journal = Journal of Personality and Social Psychology | volume = 75 | issue = 1 | pages = 219–229 | date = July 1998 | pmid = 9686460 | doi = 10.1037/0022-3514.75.1.219 | s2cid = 145798157 | citeseerx = 10.1.1.337.396 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Penney LM, Spector PE | year = 2002 | title = Narcissism and counterproductive work behavior: Do bigger egos mean bigger problems? | journal = International Journal of Selection and Assessment | volume = 10 | issue = 1–2| pages = 126–34 | doi = 10.1111/1468-2389.00199 }}</ref> Individuals high in narcissism have fragile self-esteem and are easily threatened. One study found that employees who are high in narcissism are more likely to perceive the behaviors of others in the workplace as abusive and threatening than individuals who are low in narcissism.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Wislar JS, Richman JA, Fendrich M, Flaherty JA | year = 2002 | title = Sexual harassment, generalized workplace abuse and drinking outcomes: The role of personality vulnerability | journal = Journal of Drug Issues | volume = 32 | issue = 4| pages = 1071–88 | doi=10.1177/002204260203200404| s2cid = 145170557 }}</ref>

'''Relationships'''
Narcissism can have a profound impact on both personal and professional relationships, often creating toxic dynamics. In romantic relationships, narcissistic individuals typically demand attention and admiration from their partner while offering little in return. They often fail to show empathy or concern for their partner’s emotional needs, focusing instead on fulfilling their own desires. The narcissist’s behavior can shift dramatically, alternating between idealizing their partner—viewing them as perfect—and devaluing them when the narcissist no longer feels validated. This inconsistency can cause emotional confusion and distress for the partner, leaving them feeling undervalued and emotionally drained.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Brunell |first1=Amy B. |last2=Campbell |first2=W. Keith |date=2011-07-20 |chapter=Narcissism and Romantic Relationships |chapter-url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/9781118093108.ch30 |title=The Handbook of Narcissism and Narcissistic Personality Disorder |pages=344–350 |doi=10.1002/9781118093108.ch30|isbn=978-0-470-60722-0 }}</ref>

====Celebrity====
Celebrity narcissism (sometimes referred to as ]) is a form of narcissism that develops in late adolescence or adulthood, brought on by wealth, fame and the other trappings of ]. Celebrity narcissism develops after childhood, and is triggered and supported by the celebrity-obsessed society. Fans, assistants and tabloid media all play into the idea that the person really is vastly more important than other people, triggering a narcissistic problem that might have been only a tendency, or latent, and helping it to become a full-blown personality disorder. "] says that what happens to celebrities is that they get so used to people looking at them that they stop looking back at other people."<ref name="Crompton_2007">{{cite book | vauthors = Crompton S | title = All about me: Loving a narcissist. | location = London | publisher = Collins | date = 2007 | page = 171 | isbn = 978-0-00-724795-0 }}</ref> In its most extreme presentation and symptoms, it is indistinguishable from ], differing only in its late onset and its environmental support by large numbers of fans. "The lack of social norms, controls, and of people centering them makes these people believe they're invulnerable",<ref name="Crompton_2007" /> so that the person may suffer from unstable relationships, substance abuse or erratic behaviors.

'''Social media'''
Social media has played a significant role in shaping and amplifying narcissistic behaviors in recent years. Platforms such as ] and ] encourage users to share content that emphasizes their personal achievements and appearance, often rewarding those who gain the most likes and followers. Narcissistic individuals are more likely to use these platforms for self-promotion and validation. The trend of posting ]s and curated images is particularly prevalent among individuals who seek external approval to boost their self-esteem. The constant feedback from social media algorithms, which prioritize highly engaging content, further fuels narcissistic tendencies. While this can lead to increased attention and admiration, it can also create emotional instability. Narcissists often experience negative feelings, such as anxiety or depression, when they do not receive the validation they expect. This pressure to maintain an idealized online persona can lead to emotional distress, especially when their real-world interactions do not match the image they present online.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=McCain |first1=Jessica L. |last2=Campbell |first2=W. Keith |date=2018 |title=Narcissism and social media use: A meta-analytic review. |url=https://doi.apa.org/doi/10.1037/ppm0000137 |journal=Psychology of Popular Media Culture |language=en |volume=7 |issue=3 |pages=308–327 |doi=10.1037/ppm0000137 |issn=2160-4142}}</ref>

==Dark triad==
Narcissism is one of the three traits in the ] model.<ref>Furnham, A., Richards, S. C., & Paulhus, D. L. (2013). The Dark Triad of personality: A 10 year review. Social and personality psychology compass, 7(3), 199-216.</ref><ref>Jones, D. N., & Paulhus, D. L. (2014). Introducing the short dark triad (SD3) a brief measure of dark personality traits. Assessment, 21(1), 28-41.</ref> The dark triad of personality traits – narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy – shows how narcissism relates to manipulative behaviors and a lack of empathy.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Paulhus |first1=Delroy L |last2=Williams |first2=Kevin M |date=2002 |title=The Dark Triad of personality: Narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0092-6566(02)00505-6 |journal=Journal of Research in Personality |volume=36 |issue=6 |pages=556–563 |doi=10.1016/s0092-6566(02)00505-6 |issn=0092-6566}}</ref> Narcissism has variously been correlated with both traits, though psychologists such as ] and Kevin Williams see enough evidence that it is a distinct trait.<ref>Jakobwitz, S., & Egan, V. (2006). The dark triad and normal personality traits. Personality and Individual differences, 40(2), 331-339.</ref>
{{Anchor|Cultural narcissism}} {{Anchor|Cultural narcissism}}


== Collective narcissism == ==Collective narcissism==
{{main|Collective narcissism}} {{main|Collective narcissism}}
Collective narcissism is a type of narcissism where an individual has an inflated ] of their own group.<ref name="Zavala_2009">{{cite journal | vauthors = de Zavala AG, Cichocka A, Eidelson R, Jayawickreme N | title = Collective narcissism and its social consequences | journal = Journal of Personality and Social Psychology | volume = 97 | issue = 6 | pages = 1074–1096 | date = December 2009 | pmid = 19968420 | doi = 10.1037/a0016904 | url = https://eprints.mdx.ac.uk/4252/1/Golec_collectivenarcissism.pdf }}</ref> While the classic definition of narcissism focuses on the individual, collective narcissism asserts that one can have a similar excessively high opinion of a group, and that a group can function as a narcissistic entity.<ref name="Zavala_2009" /> Collective narcissism is related to ]; however, ethnocentrism primarily focuses on self-centeredness at an ethnic or cultural level, while collective narcissism is extended to any type of ingroup beyond just cultures and ethnicities.<ref name="Zavala_2009" /><ref name="Bizumic_2008">{{cite journal | vauthors = Bizumic B, Duckitt J | title = My group is not worthy of me": Narcissism and ethnocentrism. | journal = Political Psychology | date = June 2008 | volume = 29 | issue = 3 | pages = 437–453 | doi = 10.1111/j.1467-9221.2008.00638.x }}</ref> Collective narcissism is a type of narcissism where an individual has an inflated ] of their own group.<ref name="Zavala_2009">{{cite journal | vauthors = de Zavala AG, Cichocka A, Eidelson R, Jayawickreme N | title = Collective narcissism and its social consequences | journal = Journal of Personality and Social Psychology | volume = 97 | issue = 6 | pages = 1074–1096 | date = December 2009 | pmid = 19968420 | doi = 10.1037/a0016904 | url = https://eprints.mdx.ac.uk/4252/1/Golec_collectivenarcissism.pdf | access-date = 2022-11-20 | archive-date = 2022-10-31 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20221031123757/https://eprints.mdx.ac.uk/4252/1/Golec_collectivenarcissism.pdf | url-status = dead }}</ref> While the classic definition of narcissism focuses on the individual, collective narcissism asserts that one can have a similar excessively high opinion of a group, and that a group can function as a narcissistic entity.<ref name="Zavala_2009" /> Collective narcissism is related to ]; however, ethnocentrism primarily focuses on self-centeredness at an ethnic or cultural level, while collective narcissism is extended to any type of ingroup beyond just cultures and ethnicities.<ref name="Zavala_2009" /><ref name="Bizumic_2008">{{cite journal | vauthors = Bizumic B, Duckitt J | title = My group is not worthy of me": Narcissism and ethnocentrism. | journal = Political Psychology | date = June 2008 | volume = 29 | issue = 3 | pages = 437–453 | doi = 10.1111/j.1467-9221.2008.00638.x }}</ref>


==Normalization of narcissistic behaviors== ==Normalization of narcissistic behaviors==
Some commentators contend that the American populace has become increasingly narcissistic since the end of ].<ref name="Lorentzenp127">{{cite book| vauthors = Lorentzen J |chapter=The culture(s) of narcissism: simultaneity and the psychedelic sixties| veditors = Curk P, Gaitanidis A |title=Narcissism&nbsp;– A Critical Reader |year=2007 |publisher=Karnac Books|location=London|chapter-url= https://books.google.com/books?id=AWbo2e_ujMoC&pg=PA127 |isbn=978-1-85575-453-9 |page=127}}</ref><ref>{{cite book| vauthors = Lasch C |title=The Culture of Narcissism: American Life in an Age of Diminishing Expectations |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_0446969443|url-access=registration |year=1979 |publisher=Warner Books |isbn=978-0-446-32104-4}}</ref><ref>{{cite book| vauthors = Nelson K |title= Narcissism in High Fidelity |publisher=iUniverse |year=2004 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=DoN0SXTkZdoC&pg=PA1 |isbn= 978-0-595-31804-9 |location=Lincoln|pages=1–2}}</ref> According to sociologist ], people pursue and compete for attention on an unprecedented scale. The profusion of popular literature about "listening" and "managing those who talk constantly about themselves" suggests its pervasiveness in everyday life.<ref name="Derber">{{cite book |vauthors = Derber C|title=The Pursuit of Attention: Power and Ego in Everyday Life 2nd Edition|date=15 June 2000|publisher=]|isbn=978-0-19-513549-7|edition=2nd}}</ref> The growth of media phenomena such as "]" programs<ref name="Lorentzenp127" /> and ] is generating a "new era of public narcissism".<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Marshall DP |title=Fame's Perpetual Motion |journal=M/C Journal |volume=7 |issue=5 |date=November 2004 |url=http://journal.media-culture.org.au/0411/01-editorial.php |access-date=7 February 2013 |doi=10.5204/mcj.2401 |doi-access=free |archive-date=2 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602112846/http://journal.media-culture.org.au/0411/01-editorial.php |url-status=live }}</ref>
] | volume = 85 | pages = 123–27 | doi=10.1016/j.paid.2015.05.004| s2cid = 2040319}}</ref>]]


Also supporting the contention that ] has become more narcissistic is an analysis of US popular song lyrics between 1987 and 2007. This found a growth in the use of first-person singular pronouns, such as I, me, my, and mine, reflecting a greater focus on the self, and also of references to antisocial behavior; during the same period, there was a diminution of words reflecting a focus on others, positive emotions, and social interactions.<ref name = "DeWall_2011" /><ref name="Twengep203">{{cite book| vauthors = Twenge JM | chapter = Chapter 10: Assessment of Narcissistic Personality Disorder | veditors = Campbell WK, Miller JD |title= The Handbook of Narcissism and Narcissistic Personality Disorder: Theoretical Approaches, Empirical Findings, and Treatments |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |location=Hoboken NJ |isbn=978-1-118-02926-8 |year=2011 |chapter-url= https://books.google.com/books?id=SFnMUZFqtnIC&pg=PA203 |page=203}}</ref> References to narcissism and self-esteem in American popular print media have experienced vast inflation since the late 1980s.<ref name="Twengep203" /> Between 1987 and 2007 direct mentions of self-esteem in leading US newspapers and magazines increased by 4,540 percent while narcissism, which had been almost non-existent in the press during the 1970s, was referred to over 5,000 times between 2002 and 2007.<ref name="Twengep203" />
Some commentators contend that the American populace has become increasingly narcissistic since the end of ].<ref name="Lorentzenp127">{{cite book| vauthors = Lorentzen J |chapter=The culture(s) of narcissism: simultaneity and the psychedelic sixties| veditors = Curk P, Gaitanidis A |title=Narcissism&nbsp;– A Critical Reader |year=2007 |publisher=Karnac Books|location=London|chapter-url= https://books.google.com/books?id=AWbo2e_ujMoC&pg=PA127 |isbn=978-1-85575-453-9 |page=127}}</ref><ref>{{cite book| vauthors = Lasch C |title=The Culture of Narcissism: American Life in an Age of Diminishing Expectations |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_0446969443|url-access=registration |year=1979 |publisher=Warner Books |isbn=978-0-446-32104-4}}</ref><ref>{{cite book| vauthors = Nelson K |title= Narcissism in High Fidelity |publisher=iUniverse |year=2004 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=DoN0SXTkZdoC&pg=PA1 |isbn= 978-0-595-31804-9 |location=Lincoln|pages=1–2}}</ref> People compete mightily for attention. In social situations they tend to steer the conversation away from others and toward themselves. The profusion of popular literature about "listening" and "managing those who talk constantly about themselves" suggests its pervasiveness in everyday life.<ref name="Derber">{{cite book |vauthors = Derber C|title=The Pursuit of Attention: Power and Ego in Everyday Life 2nd Edition|date=15 June 2000|publisher=]|isbn=978-0-19-513549-7|edition=2nd}}</ref> This claim is substantiated by the growth of "]" programs,<ref name="Lorentzenp127" /> the growth of an online culture in which digital media, ] and the desire for fame are generating a "new era of public narcissism".<ref>{{cite journal| vauthors = Marshall DP |title=Fame's Perpetual Motion |journal=M/C Journal |volume=7 |issue=5 |date=November 2004 |url=http://journal.media-culture.org.au/0411/01-editorial.php |access-date=7 February 2013|doi=10.5204/mcj.2401 |doi-access=free}}</ref>

Also supporting the contention that ] has become more narcissistic is an analysis of US popular song lyrics between 1987 and 2007. This found a growth in the use of first-person singular pronouns, reflecting a greater focus on the self, and also of references to antisocial behavior; during the same period, there was a diminution of words reflecting a focus on others, positive emotions, and social interactions.<ref name = "DeWall_2011" /><ref name="Twengep203">{{cite book| vauthors = Twenge JM | chapter = Chapter 10: Assessment of Narcissistic Personality Disorder | veditors = Campbell WK, Miller JD |title= The Handbook of Narcissism and Narcissistic Personality Disorder: Theoretical Approaches, Empirical Findings, and Treatments |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |location=Hoboken NJ |isbn=978-1-118-02926-8 |year=2011 |chapter-url= https://books.google.com/books?id=SFnMUZFqtnIC&pg=PA203 |page=203}}</ref> References to narcissism and self-esteem in American popular print media have experienced vast inflation since the late 1980s.<ref name="Twengep203" /> Between 1987 and 2007 direct mentions of self-esteem in leading US newspapers and magazines increased by 4,540 per cent while narcissism, which had been almost non-existent in the press during the 1970s, was referred to over 5,000 times between 2002 and 2007.<ref name="Twengep203" />


===Individualistic vs collectivist national cultures=== ===Individualistic vs collectivist national cultures===

Similar patterns of change in cultural production are observable in other Western states. For example, a linguistic analysis of the largest circulation Norwegian newspaper found that the use of self-focused and individualistic terms increased in frequency by 69 per cent between 1984 and 2005 while collectivist terms declined by 32 per cent.<ref name="Twengep202">{{cite book| vauthors = Twenge JM | chapter = Chapter 10: Assessment of Narcissistic Personality Disorder | veditors = Campbell WK, Miller JD |title=The Handbook of Narcissism and Narcissistic Personality Disorder: Theoretical Approaches, Empirical Findings, and Treatments |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |location=Hoboken NJ |isbn=978-1-118-02926-8 |year=2011 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SFnMUZFqtnIC&pg=PA202 |page=202}}</ref> Similar patterns of change in cultural production are observable in other Western states. For example, a linguistic analysis of the largest circulation Norwegian newspaper found that the use of self-focused and individualistic terms increased in frequency by 69 per cent between 1984 and 2005 while collectivist terms declined by 32 per cent.<ref name="Twengep202">{{cite book| vauthors = Twenge JM | chapter = Chapter 10: Assessment of Narcissistic Personality Disorder | veditors = Campbell WK, Miller JD |title=The Handbook of Narcissism and Narcissistic Personality Disorder: Theoretical Approaches, Empirical Findings, and Treatments |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |location=Hoboken NJ |isbn=978-1-118-02926-8 |year=2011 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SFnMUZFqtnIC&pg=PA202 |page=202}}</ref>


One study looked at differences in advertising between an individualistic culture, United States, and a collectivist culture, South Korea and found that in the US there was a greater tendency to stress the distinctiveness and uniqueness of the person; where as advertising in South Korean stressed the importance of social conformity and harmony.<ref name="Twengep202" /> These cultural differences were greater than the effects of individual differences within national cultures.<ref name="Twengep202" /> One study looked at differences in advertising between an individualistic culture, United States, and a collectivist culture, South Korea and found that in the US there was a greater tendency to stress the distinctiveness and uniqueness of the person; whereas advertising in South Korean stressed the importance of social conformity and harmony.<ref name="Twengep202" /> These cultural differences were greater than the effects of individual differences within national cultures.<ref name="Twengep202" />


==Controversies== ==Controversies==
There has been an increased interest in narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) in the last 10 years.<ref name="miller">{{cite journal | vauthors = Miller JD, Lynam DR, Hyatt CS, Campbell WK | title = Controversies in Narcissism | journal = Annual Review of Clinical Psychology | volume = 13 | pages = 291–315 | date = May 2017 | pmid = 28301765 | doi = 10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-032816-045244 | s2cid = 207585237 }}</ref> There are areas of substantial debate that surround the subject including: There has been an increased interest in narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) in the last 10 years.<ref name="miller">{{cite journal | vauthors = Miller JD, Lynam DR, Hyatt CS, Campbell WK | title = Controversies in Narcissism | journal = Annual Review of Clinical Psychology | volume = 13 | pages = 291–315 | date = May 2017 | pmid = 28301765 | doi = 10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-032816-045244 | s2cid = 207585237 | doi-access = free }}</ref>{{Update inline|date=June 2024|?=yes}} There are areas of substantial debate that surround the subject including:
* clearly defining the difference between normal and pathological narcissism,<ref name="miller"/> * Clearly defining the difference between normal and pathological narcissism,<ref name="miller"/>
* understanding the role of self-esteem in narcissism,<ref name="miller"/> * Understanding the role of self-esteem in narcissism,<ref name="miller"/>
* reaching a consensus on the classifications and definitions of sub-types such as "grandiose" and "vulnerable dimensions" or variants of these,<ref name="miller"/> * Reaching a consensus on the classifications and definitions of sub-types such as "grandiose" and "vulnerable dimensions" or variants of these,<ref name="miller"/>
* understanding what are the central versus peripheral, primary versus secondary features/characteristics of narcissism, * Understanding what are the central versus peripheral, primary versus secondary features/characteristics of narcissism,
* determining if there is consensual description,<ref name="miller"/> * Determining if there is consensual description,<ref name="miller"/>
* agreeing on the etiological factors,<ref name="miller"/> * Agreeing on the ] factors,<ref name="miller"/>
* deciding what field or discipline narcissism should be studied by,<ref name="miller"/> * Deciding what field or discipline narcissism should be studied by,<ref name="miller"/>
* agreeing on how it should be assessed and measured,<ref name="miller"/> and * Agreeing on how it should be assessed and measured,<ref name="miller"/> and
* agreeing on its representation in textbooks and classification manuals.<ref name="miller"/> * Agreeing on its representation in textbooks and classification manuals.<ref name="miller"/>


This extent of the controversy was on public display in 2010–2013 when the committee on personality disorders for the 5th Edition (2013) of the ] recommended the removal of Narcissistic Personality from the manual. A contentious three-year debate unfolded in the clinical community with one of the sharpest critics being ], the person who led the DSM personality disorders committee for the 4th edition of the manual.<ref>{{cite news | vauthors = Zanor C |title=A Fate That Narcissists Will Hate: Being Ignored |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/30/health/views/30mind.html |access-date=9 November 2010 |work=]}}</ref> This extent of the controversy was on public display in 2010–2013 when the committee on personality disorders for the 5th Edition (2013) of the ] recommended the removal of Narcissistic Personality from the manual. A contentious three-year debate unfolded in the clinical community with one of the sharpest critics being ], the person who led the DSM personality disorders committee for the 4th edition of the manual.<ref>{{cite news |vauthors=Zanor C |title=A Fate That Narcissists Will Hate: Being Ignored |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/30/health/views/30mind.html |access-date=9 November 2010 |work=] |archive-date=1 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501221018/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/30/health/views/30mind.html |url-status=live }}</ref>


== See also == ==See also==
* ] * ]
* ] * ]
* ] * ]
* ] * ]
* ] * ]


== References == ==References==
{{Reflist}} {{Reflist}}


== Further reading == ==Further reading==
{{Wiktionary}} {{Wiktionary}}
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Latest revision as of 02:19, 25 December 2024

Excessive preoccupation with oneself For the clinical disorder, see Narcissistic personality disorder. For other uses, see Narcissism (disambiguation).

Narcissus (1597–99) by Caravaggio; the man in love with his own reflection

Narcissism is a self-centered personality style characterized as having an excessive preoccupation with oneself and one's own needs, often at the expense of others. Narcissism, rooted in Greek mythology, has evolved into a psychological concept studied extensively since the early 20th century, highlighting its relevance across various societal domains.

Narcissism exists on a continuum that ranges from normal to abnormal personality expression. While many psychologists believe that a moderate degree of narcissism is normal and healthy in humans, there are also more extreme forms, observable particularly in people who are excessively self-absorbed, or who have a mental illness like narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), where the narcissistic tendency has become pathological, leading to functional impairment and psychosocial disability.

Historical background

The term narcissism is derived from Narcissus, a character in Greek mythology best known from the telling in Roman poet Ovid's Metamorphoses, written in 8 CE. Book III of the poem tells the mythical story of a handsome young man, Narcissus, who spurns the advances of many potential lovers. When Narcissus rejects the nymph Echo, who was cursed to only echo the sounds that others made, the gods punish Narcissus by making him fall in love with his own reflection in a pool of water. When Narcissus discovers that the object of his love cannot love him back, he slowly pines away and dies.

The concept of excessive selfishness has been recognized throughout history. In ancient Greece, the concept was understood as hubris. Some religious movements such as the Hussites attempted to rectify what they viewed as the shattering and narcissistic cultures of recent centuries.

It was not until the late 1800s that narcissism began to be defined in psychological terms. Since that time, the term has had a significant divergence in meaning in psychology. It has been used to describe:

  • A sexual perversion,
  • A normal developmental stage,
  • A symptom in psychosis, and
  • A characteristic in several of the object relations .

In 1889, psychiatrists Paul Näcke and Havelock Ellis used the term "narcissism", independently of each other, to describe a person who treats their own body in the same way in which the body of a sexual partner is ordinarily treated. Narcissism, in this context, was seen as a perversion that consumed a person's entire sexual life. In 1911 Otto Rank published the first clinical paper about narcissism, linking it to vanity and self-admiration.

In an essay in 1913 called "The God complex", Ernest Jones considered extreme narcissism as a character trait. He described people with the God complex as being aloof, self-important, overconfident, auto-erotic, inaccessible, self-admiring, and exhibitionistic, with fantasies of omnipotence and omniscience. He observed that these people had a high need for uniqueness.

Sigmund Freud (1914) published his theory of narcissism in a lengthy essay titled "On Narcissism: An Introduction". For Freud, narcissism refers to the individual's direction of libidinal energy toward themselves rather than objects and others. He postulated a universal "primary narcissism", that was a phase of sexual development in early infancy – a necessary intermediate stage between auto-eroticism and object-love, love for others. Portions of this 'self-love' or ego-libido are, at later stages of development, expressed outwardly, or "given off" toward others. Freud's postulation of a "secondary narcissism" came as a result of his observation of the peculiar nature of the schizophrenic's relation to themselves and the world. He observed that the two fundamental qualities of such patients were megalomania and withdrawal of interest from the real world of people and things: "the libido that has been withdrawn from the external world has been directed to the ego and thus gives rise to an attitude which may be called narcissism." It is a secondary narcissism because it is not a new creation but a magnification of an already existing condition (primary narcissism).

In 1925, Robert Waelder conceptualized narcissism as a personality trait. His definition described individuals who are condescending, feel superior to others, are preoccupied with admiration, and exhibit a lack of empathy. Waelder's work and his case study have been influential in the way narcissism and the clinical disorder narcissistic personality disorder are defined today. His patient was a successful scientist with an attitude of superiority, an obsession with fostering self-respect, and a lack of normal feelings of guilt. The patient was aloof and independent from others, had an inability to empathize with others, and was selfish sexually. Waelder's patient was also overly logical and analytical and valued abstract intellectual thought over the practical application of scientific knowledge.

Karen Horney (1939) postulated that narcissism was on a spectrum that ranged from healthy self-esteem to a pathological state.

The term entered the broader social consciousness following the publication of The Culture of Narcissism by Christopher Lasch in 1979. Since then, social media, bloggers, and self-help authors have indiscriminately applied "narcissism" as a label for the self-serving and for all domestic abusers.

Characteristics

Normal and healthy levels of narcissism

Some psychologists suggest that a moderate level of narcissism is supportive of good psychological health. Self-esteem works as a mediator between narcissism and psychological health. Elevated self-esteem, in moderation, supports resilience and ambition, but excessive self-focus can distort social relationships.

Destructive levels of narcissism

While narcissism, in and of itself, can be considered a normal personality trait, high levels of narcissistic behavior can be harmful to both self and others. Destructive narcissism is the constant exhibition of a few of the intense characteristics usually associated with pathological narcissistic personality disorder such as a "pervasive pattern of grandiosity", which is characterized by feelings of entitlement and superiority, arrogant or haughty behaviors, and a generalized lack of empathy and concern for others. On a spectrum, destructive narcissism is more extreme than healthy narcissism but not as extreme as the pathological condition.

Pathological levels of narcissism

Main article: Narcissistic personality disorder

Extremely high levels of narcissistic behavior are considered pathological. The pathological condition of narcissism is a magnified, extreme manifestation of healthy narcissism. It manifests itself in the inability to love others, lack of empathy, emptiness, boredom, and an unremitting need to search for power, while making the person unavailable to others. The clinical theorists Kernberg, Kohut, and Theodore Millon all saw pathological narcissism as a possible outcome in response to unempathetic and inconsistent early childhood interactions. They suggested that narcissists try to compensate in adult relationships. German psychoanalyst Karen Horney (1885–1952) also saw the narcissistic personality as a temperament trait molded by a certain kind of early environment.

Heritability

Heritability studies using twins have shown that narcissistic traits, as measured by standardized tests, are often inherited. Narcissism was found to have a high heritability score (0.64) indicating that the concordance of this trait in the identical twins was significantly influenced by genetics as compared to an environmental causation. It has also been shown that there is a continuum or spectrum of narcissistic traits ranging from normal to a pathological personality. Furthermore, evidence suggests that individual elements of narcissism have their own heritability score. For example, intrapersonal grandiosity has a score of 0.23, and interpersonal entitlement has a score of 0.35. While the genetic impact on narcissism levels is significant, it is not the only factor at play.

Expressions of narcissism

Primary expressions

Two primary expressions of narcissism have been identified: grandiose ("thick-skinned") and vulnerable ("thin-skinned"). Recent accounts posit that the core of narcissism is self-centred antagonism (or "entitled self-importance"), namely selfishness, entitlement, lack of empathy, and devaluation of others. Grandiosity and vulnerability are seen as different expressions of this antagonistic core, arising from individual differences in the strength of the approach and avoidance motivational systems. Some researchers have posited that genuine narcissists may fall into the vulnerable narcissism subtype, whereas grandiose narcissism might be a form of psychopathy.

Grandiose narcissism

Narcissistic grandiosity is thought to arise from a combination of the antagonistic core with temperamental boldness—defined by positive emotionality, social dominance, reward-seeking and risk-taking. Grandiosity is defined—in addition to antagonism—by a confident, exhibitionistic and manipulative self-regulatory style:

  1. High self-esteem and a clear sense of uniqueness and superiority, with fantasies of success and power, and lofty ambitions.
  2. Social potency, marked by exhibitionistic, authoritative, charismatic and self-promoting interpersonal behaviors.
  3. Exploitative, self-serving relational dynamics; short-term relationship transactions defined by manipulation and privileging of personal gain over other benefits of socialization.

Vulnerable narcissism

Narcissistic vulnerability is thought to arise from a combination of the antagonistic core with temperamental reactivity—defined by negative emotionality, social avoidance, passivity and marked proneness to rage. Vulnerability is defined—in addition to antagonism—by a shy, vindictive and needy self-regulatory style:

  1. Low and contingent self-esteem, unstable and unclear sense of self, and resentment of others' success
  2. Social withdrawal, resulting from shame, distrust of others' intentions, and concerns over being accepted
  3. Needy, obsessive relational dynamics; long-term relationship transactions defined by an excessive need for admiration, approval and support, and vengefulness when needs are unmet

Other expressions

Sexual

Sexual narcissism has been described as an egocentric pattern of sexual behavior that involves an inflated sense of sexual ability or sexual entitlement, sometimes in the form of extramarital affairs. This can be overcompensation for low self-esteem or an inability to sustain true intimacy.

While this behavioral pattern is believed to be more common in men than in women, it occurs in both males and females who compensate for feelings of sexual inadequacy by becoming overly proud or obsessed with their masculinity or femininity.

The controversial condition referred to as "sexual addiction" is believed by some experts to be sexual narcissism or sexual compulsivity, rather than an addictive behavior.

Parental

Main article: Narcissistic parents

Narcissistic parents often see their children as extensions of themselves and encourage the children to act in ways that support the parents' emotional and self-esteem needs. Due to their vulnerability, children may be significantly affected by this behavior. To meet the parents' needs, the child may sacrifice their own wants and feelings. A child subjected to this type of parenting may struggle in adulthood with their intimate relationships.

In extreme situations, this parenting style can result in estranged relationships with the children, coupled with feelings of resentment, and in some cases, self-destructive tendencies.

Origins of narcissism in children can often come from the social learning theory. The social learning theory proposes that social behavior is learned by observing and imitating others' behavior. This suggests that children are anticipated to grow up to be narcissistic when their parents overvalue them.

Workplace

Main article: Narcissism in the workplace

There is a compulsion of some professionals to constantly assert their competence, even when they are wrong. Professional narcissism can lead otherwise capable, and even exceptional, professionals to fall into narcissistic traps. "Most professionals work on cultivating a self that exudes authority, control, knowledge, competence and respectability. It's the narcissist in us all—we dread appearing stupid or incompetent."

Executives are often provided with potential narcissistic triggers. Inanimate triggers include status symbols like company cars, company-issued smartphone, or prestigious offices with window views; animate triggers include flattery and attention from colleagues and subordinates.

Narcissism has been linked to a range of potential leadership problems ranging from poor motivational skills to risky decision making, and in extreme cases, white-collar crime. High-profile corporate leaders that place an extreme emphasis on profits may yield positive short-term benefits for their organizations, but ultimately it drags down individual employees as well as entire companies.

Subordinates may find everyday offers of support swiftly turn them into enabling sources, unless they are very careful to maintain proper boundaries.

Studies examining the role of personality in the rise to leadership have shown that individuals who rise to leadership positions can be described as inter-personally dominant, extraverted, and socially skilled. When examining the correlation of narcissism in the rise to leadership positions, narcissists who are often inter-personally dominant, extraverted, and socially skilled, were also likely to rise to leadership but were more likely to emerge as leaders in situations where they were not known, such as in outside hires (versus internal promotions). Paradoxically, narcissism can present as characteristics that facilitate an individual's rise to leadership, and ultimately lead that person to underachieve or even to fail.

Narcissism can also create problems in the general workforce. For example, individuals high in narcissism inventories are more likely to engage in counterproductive behavior that harms organizations or other people in the workplace. Aggressive (and counterproductive) behaviors tend to surface when self-esteem is threatened. Individuals high in narcissism have fragile self-esteem and are easily threatened. One study found that employees who are high in narcissism are more likely to perceive the behaviors of others in the workplace as abusive and threatening than individuals who are low in narcissism.

Relationships Narcissism can have a profound impact on both personal and professional relationships, often creating toxic dynamics. In romantic relationships, narcissistic individuals typically demand attention and admiration from their partner while offering little in return. They often fail to show empathy or concern for their partner’s emotional needs, focusing instead on fulfilling their own desires. The narcissist’s behavior can shift dramatically, alternating between idealizing their partner—viewing them as perfect—and devaluing them when the narcissist no longer feels validated. This inconsistency can cause emotional confusion and distress for the partner, leaving them feeling undervalued and emotionally drained.

Celebrity

Celebrity narcissism (sometimes referred to as acquired situational narcissism) is a form of narcissism that develops in late adolescence or adulthood, brought on by wealth, fame and the other trappings of celebrity. Celebrity narcissism develops after childhood, and is triggered and supported by the celebrity-obsessed society. Fans, assistants and tabloid media all play into the idea that the person really is vastly more important than other people, triggering a narcissistic problem that might have been only a tendency, or latent, and helping it to become a full-blown personality disorder. "Robert Millman says that what happens to celebrities is that they get so used to people looking at them that they stop looking back at other people." In its most extreme presentation and symptoms, it is indistinguishable from narcissistic personality disorder, differing only in its late onset and its environmental support by large numbers of fans. "The lack of social norms, controls, and of people centering them makes these people believe they're invulnerable", so that the person may suffer from unstable relationships, substance abuse or erratic behaviors.

Social media Social media has played a significant role in shaping and amplifying narcissistic behaviors in recent years. Platforms such as Instagram and TikTok encourage users to share content that emphasizes their personal achievements and appearance, often rewarding those who gain the most likes and followers. Narcissistic individuals are more likely to use these platforms for self-promotion and validation. The trend of posting selfies and curated images is particularly prevalent among individuals who seek external approval to boost their self-esteem. The constant feedback from social media algorithms, which prioritize highly engaging content, further fuels narcissistic tendencies. While this can lead to increased attention and admiration, it can also create emotional instability. Narcissists often experience negative feelings, such as anxiety or depression, when they do not receive the validation they expect. This pressure to maintain an idealized online persona can lead to emotional distress, especially when their real-world interactions do not match the image they present online.

Dark triad

Narcissism is one of the three traits in the dark triad model. The dark triad of personality traits – narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy – shows how narcissism relates to manipulative behaviors and a lack of empathy. Narcissism has variously been correlated with both traits, though psychologists such as Delroy Paulhus and Kevin Williams see enough evidence that it is a distinct trait.

Collective narcissism

Main article: Collective narcissism

Collective narcissism is a type of narcissism where an individual has an inflated self-love of their own group. While the classic definition of narcissism focuses on the individual, collective narcissism asserts that one can have a similar excessively high opinion of a group, and that a group can function as a narcissistic entity. Collective narcissism is related to ethnocentrism; however, ethnocentrism primarily focuses on self-centeredness at an ethnic or cultural level, while collective narcissism is extended to any type of ingroup beyond just cultures and ethnicities.

Normalization of narcissistic behaviors

Some commentators contend that the American populace has become increasingly narcissistic since the end of World War II. According to sociologist Charles Derber, people pursue and compete for attention on an unprecedented scale. The profusion of popular literature about "listening" and "managing those who talk constantly about themselves" suggests its pervasiveness in everyday life. The growth of media phenomena such as "reality TV" programs and social media is generating a "new era of public narcissism".

Also supporting the contention that American culture has become more narcissistic is an analysis of US popular song lyrics between 1987 and 2007. This found a growth in the use of first-person singular pronouns, such as I, me, my, and mine, reflecting a greater focus on the self, and also of references to antisocial behavior; during the same period, there was a diminution of words reflecting a focus on others, positive emotions, and social interactions. References to narcissism and self-esteem in American popular print media have experienced vast inflation since the late 1980s. Between 1987 and 2007 direct mentions of self-esteem in leading US newspapers and magazines increased by 4,540 percent while narcissism, which had been almost non-existent in the press during the 1970s, was referred to over 5,000 times between 2002 and 2007.

Individualistic vs collectivist national cultures

Similar patterns of change in cultural production are observable in other Western states. For example, a linguistic analysis of the largest circulation Norwegian newspaper found that the use of self-focused and individualistic terms increased in frequency by 69 per cent between 1984 and 2005 while collectivist terms declined by 32 per cent.

One study looked at differences in advertising between an individualistic culture, United States, and a collectivist culture, South Korea and found that in the US there was a greater tendency to stress the distinctiveness and uniqueness of the person; whereas advertising in South Korean stressed the importance of social conformity and harmony. These cultural differences were greater than the effects of individual differences within national cultures.

Controversies

There has been an increased interest in narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) in the last 10 years. There are areas of substantial debate that surround the subject including:

  • Clearly defining the difference between normal and pathological narcissism,
  • Understanding the role of self-esteem in narcissism,
  • Reaching a consensus on the classifications and definitions of sub-types such as "grandiose" and "vulnerable dimensions" or variants of these,
  • Understanding what are the central versus peripheral, primary versus secondary features/characteristics of narcissism,
  • Determining if there is consensual description,
  • Agreeing on the etiological factors,
  • Deciding what field or discipline narcissism should be studied by,
  • Agreeing on how it should be assessed and measured, and
  • Agreeing on its representation in textbooks and classification manuals.

This extent of the controversy was on public display in 2010–2013 when the committee on personality disorders for the 5th Edition (2013) of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders recommended the removal of Narcissistic Personality from the manual. A contentious three-year debate unfolded in the clinical community with one of the sharpest critics being John G. Gunderson, the person who led the DSM personality disorders committee for the 4th edition of the manual.

See also

References

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