Classic narcissistic behaviours include exploiting others without guilt, needing constant praise and displaying a sense of entitlement.
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What is fuelling the rise in narcissism? Are narcissists born or created?
What is fuelling the rise in narcissism? Are narcissists born or created?
Giving someone power can make them into a narcissist.
However, it depends on how much testosterone they naturally have in their system.
Despite being known as the ‘male hormone’, testosterone is also present in women’s bodies, although at lower levels.
When a person, male or female, has high levels of testosterone, power is more likely to corrupt them, activating narcissistic tendencies, the researchers found.
Dr Nicole Mead, the study’s first author, explained that:
“Narcissists can feel a sense of entitlement – they expect and demand respect from others as well as special privileges,”
They are willing to exploit others to get what they want.”
For the study, 206 people’s testosterone levels were tested and then they were given group activities in which they were sometimes put in positions of power.
Dr Mead explained the results:
“While power doesn’t turn everyone into a destructive tyrant, it has pernicious effects when it gets into the hands of those who want it most.
Power increased narcissism only among those with high-baseline testosterone – people who want to achieve and retain positions of power.”
The component of narcissism that was boosted by power is known as ‘exploitative-entitlement’.
In other words, power made people more ready to exploit others and to feel it is their right to do so.
Dr Nicole Mead, the study’s first author, said:
“Power is an essential component of social life.
Although the corrupting nature of power has been noted for centuries, the way it changes how people see themselves in relation to others remained an enigma.
We thought narcissistic self-views may be a missing piece of the puzzle for understanding how power corrupts.”
Dr Mead thinks much can be pinned on a sense of entitlement:
“This research is some of the first to look at factors that fuel the rise of narcissism and to pinpoint the change in self-views that can explain the corrupting influence of power.
Moreover, the work shows that the destructive effects of power were not due to narcissistic feelings of superiority but rather narcissistic feelings that one is special and should be treated accordingly.
Feelings of exploitation and entitlement may help those who crave power to retain a power gap between themselves and others.”
The study was published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General (Mead et al., 2018).
Discover how to spot narcissistic rage, understand its root causes, and employ effective techniques to manage difficult situations.
Narcissistic rage is a complex emotional reaction often associated with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), manifesting as intense anger or aggression when a person feels their self-esteem is threatened.
Narcissistic rage refers to an extreme and often disproportionate reaction to a perceived slight or criticism.
It is a defensive mechanism rooted in a fragile self-image, commonly observed in individuals with narcissistic personality traits.
Such rage can range from explosive outbursts to passive-aggressive behaviours, depending on the individual’s personality and circumstances.
Although not exclusive to narcissistic personality disorder, it is frequently a hallmark of this condition and can serve as a lens to better understand broader narcissistic behaviours.
Narcissistic rage is typically triggered by events or actions that threaten the narcissist’s sense of superiority or self-worth.
Even minor incidents, such as a casual remark or an unintended slight, can provoke a strong reaction.
Triggers often stem from deeply ingrained fears of inadequacy or rejection, which the individual may not consciously acknowledge.
Narcissistic rage can manifest in various ways, making it crucial to understand the signs for early recognition.
These behaviours often serve to protect the narcissist’s ego and maintain their sense of control.
It is important to note that these signs may vary in intensity and frequency, depending on the individual and the specific context.
Frequent episodes of narcissistic rage can severely affect personal and professional relationships.
Partners, family members, and colleagues may feel emotionally drained, fearful, or resentful.
Over time, such interactions can erode trust and lead to long-lasting relational damage.
Key impacts include:
The cumulative effects of narcissistic rage often extend beyond the immediate relationship, influencing the individual’s broader social and professional networks.
In severe cases, unchecked rage can contribute to patterns of abuse, further complicating the relational dynamics.
Managing interactions with someone exhibiting narcissistic rage requires both emotional resilience and practical strategies.
Patience and consistent boundary-setting are essential when dealing with chronic patterns of rage.
It can also be helpful to develop a plan for handling particularly challenging interactions, ensuring that you prioritise your safety and well-being.
Being exposed to narcissistic rage can take a significant toll on your mental health.
Practising self-care is vital to maintaining emotional balance.
Regularly checking in with yourself and addressing your emotional needs can prevent burnout and build resilience over time.
Individuals prone to narcissistic rage can benefit from therapeutic interventions that address the underlying causes.
Consistency in therapy can foster self-awareness and healthier emotional regulation.
In addition to individual therapy, family or group counselling can provide valuable insights and support for all parties involved.
While completely preventing narcissistic rage may not be possible, creating a supportive environment can minimise its frequency and intensity.
Early intervention can play a crucial role in mitigating the long-term effects of narcissistic rage.
Educational efforts aimed at increasing awareness about narcissistic tendencies and their impact can also contribute to healthier interpersonal dynamics.
Narcissistic rage is a powerful emotional response driven by a fragile sense of self-worth, often causing significant harm to relationships and well-being.
Understanding its triggers, recognising its signs, and employing effective coping strategies are essential steps in managing its impact.
With professional help and consistent effort, individuals prone to narcissistic rage can develop healthier emotional responses, improving their relationships and quality of life.
For those affected by narcissistic rage, prioritising self-care and seeking external support can pave the way for recovery and resilience.
Narcissistic rate themselves as more intelligent, likeable, attractive and funny — but, do they know they are biased?
Research reveals the surprising self-awareness behind narcissistic behaviour.
Narcissists do know they are narcissists and they are happy with it, research finds.
Far from being unaware of their brash, flamboyant nature, they revel in it.
They know others don’t rate them as highly as they rate themselves.
Perhaps all their boasting is their attempt to get the rest of us up to speed on how brilliant they are.
The study’s authors write:
“First, narcissists understand that others do not see them as positively as they see themselves.
Second, they understand that their reputation is more positive in a first impression context than among people who know them well.
Third, narcissists describe themselves and their reputation as narcissistic.”
For the three studies included in the research, hundreds of acquaintances were asked what they thought of each other, and of how they saw themselves.
People who scored higher or narcissistic traits rated themselves as more intelligent, likeable, attractive and funny.
They also rated themselves higher on the negative aspects of narcissism, such as being arrogant, power-oriented and impulsive.
This suggests that narcissists are aware of the effect their behaviour has on others.
They knew that other people didn’t think they were as great as they thought they were.
The study’s authors write:
“…narcissists believe that others do not see them as positively as they see themselves.
For example, from the perspective of narcissists, others fail to perceive the full magnitude of their likeability, intelligence, and attractiveness.
The discrepancy between their self-perceptions and their meta-perceptions might explain why narcissists behave in arrogant ways (e.g., brag).
Specifically, they may be seeking the recognition they believe they deserve.”
The study was published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (Carlson et al., 2011).
Self-focus blinds the narcissist to others, but there’s a way to break through.
Self-focus blinds the narcissist to others, but there’s a way to break through.
Narcissistic individuals are highly self-focused, so they have a problem with empathy.
This makes them hard to deal with because they are not naturally that concerned about your point of view — or anyone else’s.
However, forcing a narcissist to put themselves in someone else’s shoes can help them empathise.
The conclusion comes from a new study looking at how people can be encouraged to make charitable donations.
The researchers found that narcissists were not affected by appeals that focused on the charity recipient — the starving man, diseased woman or lost child.
The narcissist can’t see how this is relevant to them.
However, they were moved to donate by appeals that asked them to imagine themselves being starving, diseased or lost.
The key, then, is making the narcissist really feel that the calamity is happening to them.
When the narcissist projects themselves into the distressed person, they are much more motivated to act.
Dr Arun Lakshmanan, study co-author, said:
“It’s the difference between showing the need and asking the donor to ‘stand in someone else’s shoes.
Charitable giving is about having empathy — recognizing and responding to the needs and emotions of other people.
Narcissists have difficulty with that, so asking them to imagine themselves as the person in need can help elicit genuine concern and, thus, donations.”
Narcissists could not be reached when they could not imagine themselves in the recipient’s circumstances.
For example, when the disease only affects the opposite gender or animals.
Dr Lakshmanan said:
“Particularly for causes to which donors have little personal connection — an unfamiliar disease, a need halfway around the globe — we recommend using vivid pictures, first-person stories and ‘imagine-self’ language to draw in high-narcissism donors.”
The study was published in the journal Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin (Kang & Lakshmanan, 2018).
Grandiosity and confidence may lead to psychological benefits.
Grandiosity and confidence may lead to psychological benefits.
Young people who are somewhat grandiose and with an inflated sense of authority have higher levels of well-being, research finds.
Both of these traits — grandiosity and an inflated sense of self — are components of narcissism.
However, young people who displayed entitlement and a willingness to exploit others experienced lower life satisfaction.
This suggests that some aspects of narcissism can be beneficial to psychological health.
However, the findings were different for older people.
Narcissistic personality traits can change over the lifespan, explained Dr Patrick Hill, the study’s first author:
“Most people think of narcissism as a trait that doesn’t change much across the lifespan.
But a lot of recent studies have shown that the developmental trajectory of narcissism goes upward in adolescence and what we call emerging adulthood — the late teens and early 20s, and then typically declines.”
It may be that some aspects of narcissism are ‘useful’ when we are younger, but they naturally fade away with age.
The study included 368 undergraduate students and 439 of their family members.
It compared the personalities of young people with those of their mothers.
It tested both how they saw themselves and how they were seen by others.
The three aspects of narcissism the researchers examined were:
In contrast to the findings for young people, older adults with narcissistic traits were seen by others as neurotic and unreliable.
There was also no benefit to life satisfaction for the first two narcissistic traits, as was seen in younger people.
Not all forms of narcissism are always bad, the research concludes.
Professor Brent Roberts, study co-author, said that narcissism can help people to…
…navigate adolescence and the turmoil involved in trying to find a sense of identity.
Later in life, however, those same traits appear to be related to less life satisfaction and a poorer reputation.”
The study was published in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science (Hill & Roberts, 2011).
What is covert narcissism? Discover the subtle traits, warning signs, and how to handle relationships with covert narcissists effectively.
Covert narcissism is a more subtle, insidious form of narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) that can be difficult to detect.
Unlike overt narcissists who are more easily recognised due to their grandiose and attention-seeking behaviour, covert narcissists display a more passive and reserved façade.
They may come across as shy, self-effacing, or even insecure, but underneath this veneer, they still harbour the same self-centred traits as their more overt counterparts.
While an overt narcissist will openly demand admiration and validation, the covert narcissist seeks these through indirect means, often using manipulation, passive-aggressiveness, and emotional abuse.
Identifying covert narcissism can be challenging because it doesn’t manifest in obvious ways.
However, there are certain signs to watch out for, many of which are subtle but toxic.
Below are 15 common traits:
A covert narcissist may appear humble and quiet, but their manipulative tactics can be just as damaging as those of an overt narcissist.
Though both covert and overt narcissists share the same underlying traits—such as grandiosity, lack of empathy, and an inflated sense of self-importance—the way these traits are expressed differs significantly.
While overt narcissists are easier to identify due to their flamboyant behaviour, covert narcissists can fly under the radar, making their manipulation all the more harmful.
One of the defining features of covert narcissism is the subtle, yet pervasive manipulation tactics employed to control those around them.
These methods can leave the victim feeling confused, guilty, and questioning their own reality.
Covert narcissists are masters at creating confusion and self-doubt in their victims, often leaving them questioning their own sanity.
If you find yourself in a relationship with a covert narcissist, whether it be a romantic partner, family member, or colleague, protecting yourself from their toxic behaviour is essential.
Here are some practical steps you can take:
The emotional and psychological toll of being in a relationship with a covert narcissist can be profound and long-lasting.
Victims may experience:
Living with a covert narcissist can leave long-lasting scars, as their manipulation is often subtle but deeply damaging.
A common question asked by those dealing with covert narcissists is whether they can change.
The short answer is: it’s complicated.
Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is a deeply ingrained condition, and while it is possible for a narcissist to change, it is extremely rare without significant, long-term therapy.
Even then, change is only possible if the narcissist is truly motivated to do so, which is often not the case.
For most people dealing with covert narcissists, the best course of action is to protect themselves by setting boundaries and limiting engagement.
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