Narcissism
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.[1][2]
Narcissism exists on a continuum that ranges from normal to
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.[6]
The concept of excessive selfishness has been recognized throughout history. In ancient Greece, the concept was understood as hubris.[7] Some religious movements such as the Hussites attempted to rectify what they viewed as the shattering and narcissistic cultures of recent centuries.[8]
It was not until the late 1800s that narcissism began to be defined in psychological terms.[9] 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 [subtypes].[10]
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.[9] In 1911 Otto Rank published the first clinical paper about narcissism, linking it to vanity and self-admiration.[11][9]
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.[12][13][14]
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."[15][16] 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.[17] 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] 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.[18]
Karen Horney (1939) postulated that narcissism was on a spectrum that ranged from healthy self-esteem to a pathological state.[17]
The term entered the broader social consciousness following the publication of The Culture of Narcissism by Christopher Lasch in 1979.[19] Since then, social media, bloggers, and self-help authors have indiscriminately applied "narcissism"[20] as a label for the self-serving and for all domestic abusers.[21][22]
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. Therefore, because of their elevated self-esteem, deriving from self-perceptions of competence and likability, high narcissists are relatively free of worry and gloom.[23]
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.[24][25] 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.[2] On a spectrum, destructive narcissism is more extreme than healthy narcissism but not as extreme as the pathological condition.[26]
Pathological levels of narcissism
Extremely high levels of narcissistic behavior are considered
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.[30][31] 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.[32] 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.[33] 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.[34]
Grandiose
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:[34]
- High self-esteem and a clear sense of uniqueness and superiority, with fantasies of success and power, and lofty ambitions
- 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
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:[34]
- Low and contingent self-esteem, unstable and unclear sense of self, and resentment of others' success
- Social withdrawal, resulting from shame, distrust of others' intentions, and concerns over being accepted
- 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
While this behavioral pattern is believed to be more common in men than in women,[36][37] 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.[38]
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.[39]
Parental
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.[40] Due to their vulnerability, children may be significantly affected by this behavior.[41] To meet the parents' needs, the child may sacrifice their own wants and feelings.[42] 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.[40]
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.[43]
Workplace
There is a compulsion of some professionals to constantly assert their competence, even when they are wrong.[44][45] 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."[44]
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.[46]: 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.[47] 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.[48]
Subordinates may find everyday offers of support swiftly turn them into enabling sources, unless they are very careful to maintain proper boundaries.[46]: 143, 181
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.[47] 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.[47]
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.[49] Aggressive (and counterproductive) behaviors tend to surface when self-esteem is threatened.[50][51] 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.[52]
Celebrity
Celebrity narcissism (sometimes referred to as
Collective narcissism
Collective narcissism is a type of narcissism where an individual has an inflated self-love of their own group.[54] 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.[54] 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.[54][55]
Normalization of narcissistic behaviors
Some commentators contend that the American populace has become increasingly narcissistic since the end of
Also supporting the contention that
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.[62]
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.[62] These cultural differences were greater than the effects of individual differences within national cultures.[62]
Controversies
There has been an increased interest in narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) in the last 10 years.[63] There are areas of substantial debate that surround the subject including:
- Clearly defining the difference between normal and pathological narcissism,[63]
- Understanding the role of self-esteem in narcissism,[63]
- Reaching a consensus on the classifications and definitions of sub-types such as "grandiose" and "vulnerable dimensions" or variants of these,[63]
- Understanding what are the central versus peripheral, primary versus secondary features/characteristics of narcissism,
- Determining if there is consensual description,[63]
- Agreeing on the etiological factors,[63]
- Deciding what field or discipline narcissism should be studied by,[63]
- Agreeing on how it should be assessed and measured,[63] and
- Agreeing on its representation in textbooks and classification manuals.[63]
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 Gunderson, MD, the person who led the DSM personality disorders committee for the 4th edition of the manual.[64]
See also
References
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Some in fact exploited it as a handy term of abuse for modern culture or as a loose synonym for bloated self-esteemed.
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Further reading
- ISBN 978-1-4008-4995-6.
- Brown NW (2008). Children of the Self-Absorbed: A Grown-up's Guide to Getting over Narcissistic Parents. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications. ISBN 978-1-57224-561-7.
- Golomb E (1995). Trapped in the Mirror – Adult Children of Narcissists in their Struggle for Self. New York: W. Morrow. ISBN 978-0-688-14071-7.
- Hotchkiss S, ISBN 978-1-4391-0653-2.
- McFarlin D (2002). Where Egos Dare: The Untold Truth About Narcissistic Leaders – And How to Survive Them. London: Kogan Page. ISBN 978-0-7494-3773-2.)
- Twenge JM, Campbell WK (April 2009). The Narcissism Epidemic: Living in the Age of Entitlement. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 978-1-4165-7599-3.