scholarly journals Sibling Constructs: What Are They, Why Do They Matter, and How Should You Handle Them?

2021 ◽  
pp. 108886832110471
Author(s):  
Katherine M. Lawson ◽  
Richard W. Robins

Researchers often study constructs that are conceptually and/or empirically related, but distinct (i.e., “sibling constructs”). In social-personality psychology, as well as psychology more generally, there is little guidance for how to deal with sibling constructs, which can result in researchers ignoring or mishandling them. In this article, we start by situating sibling constructs in the literature on the jingle-jangle fallacies. Then, we outline 10 conceptual and empirical criteria for determining the degree to which, and in what ways, constructs may share a sibling relationship, using self-esteem and grandiose narcissism as a running example. Finally, we discuss strategies for handling sibling constructs in a systematic and transparent way. We hope that the procedures described here will help social-personality psychologists identify sibling constructs, understand when and why they pose problems for their research, and adopt strategies that ameliorate their adverse effects.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine M. Lawson ◽  
Richard Robins

Researchers often deal with constructs that are conceptually and/or empirically related, but distinct (i.e., “sibling constructs”). In social-personality psychology, as well as psychology more generally, there is little guidance for how to deal with sibling constructs, which can result in researchers ignoring or mishandling them. In this paper, we start by situating sibling constructs in the literature on the jingle-jangle fallacies. Then, we outline 10 conceptual and empirical criteria for determining the degree to which, and in what ways, constructs may share a sibling relationship, using self-esteem and grandiose narcissism as a running example. Finally, we discuss strategies for handling sibling constructs in a systematic and transparent way. We hope that the procedures described here will help social-personality psychologists identify sibling constructs, understand when and why they pose problems for their research, and adopt strategies that ameliorate their adverse effects.


2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 374-389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eunike Wetzel ◽  
Marius Leckelt ◽  
Tanja M. Gerlach ◽  
Mitja D. Back

This study investigated grandiose narcissism from a categorical perspective. We tested whether subgroups of narcissists can be distinguished that differ in their expressions of more agentic (narcissistic admiration, ADM) and more antagonistic (narcissistic rivalry, RIV) pathways of narcissism. We analysed three German samples (total N = 2211; Mage = 26; 70% female) and one US sample (N = 971; Mage = 35; 74% female) using latent class analysis. Four subgroups of narcissists were consistently identified across samples from Germany and the United States: low narcissists, moderate narcissists primarily characterized by agentic aspects (ADM), moderate narcissists characterized by both agentic and antagonistic aspects (ADM + RIV), and high narcissists. The subgroups were systematically related to a number of personality traits (e.g. Machiavellianism, impulsivity) and adjustment indicators (e.g. self–esteem, empathy). Members in the moderate narcissists—ADM subgroup showed the most adaptive characteristics while members in the moderate narcissists—ADM + RIV subgroup showed the most maladaptive characteristics. Investigating grandiose narcissism—a primarily quantitative trait—from a categorical perspective can yield valuable insights that would otherwise be overlooked. In addition, our results underline the utility of a self–regulatory process approach to grandiose narcissism that distinguishes between agentic and antagonistic dynamics. Copyright © 2016 European Association of Personality Psychology


2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 653-671 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Masselink ◽  
E. Van Roekel ◽  
B.L. Hankin ◽  
L. Keijsers ◽  
G.M.A. Lodder ◽  
...  

Many longitudinal studies have investigated whether self–esteem predicts depressive symptoms (vulnerability model) or the other way around (scar model) in adolescents. The most common method of analysis has been the cross–lagged panel model (CLPM). The CLPM does not separate between–person effects from within–person effects, making it unclear whether the results from previous studies actually reflect the within–person effects or whether they reflect differences between people. We investigated the associations between self–esteem and depressive symptoms at the within–person level, using random intercept cross–lagged panel models (RI–CLPMs). To get an impression of the magnitude of possible differences between the RI–CLPM and the CLPM, we compared the results of both models. We used data from three longitudinal adolescent samples (age range: 7–18 years; study 1: N = 1948; study 2: N = 1455; study 3: N = 316). Intervals between the measurements were 1–1.5 years. Single–paper meta–analyses showed support for small within–person associations from self–esteem to depressive symptoms, but not the other way around, thus only providing some support for the vulnerability model. The cross–lagged associations in the aggregated RI–CLPM and CLPM showed similar effect sizes. Overall, our results show that over 1– to 1.5–year time intervals, low self–esteem may negatively influence depressive symptoms over time within adolescents, but only weakly so. © 2018 The Authors. European Journal of Personality published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Association of Personality Psychology


2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabrina J. Mayer ◽  
Carl C. Berning ◽  
David Johann

This paper offers an explanation of the link between grandiose narcissism and support for radical right parties. Drawing on representative data of the GESIS Panel ( N = 2827), focusing on support for the German radical right populist party Alternative for Germany in 2016 and treating grandiose narcissism as a two–dimensional concept, it is shown that the effects of grandiose narcissism are indirect rather than direct. The paper also reveals that it is mainly narcissistic rivalry that accounts for radical right party support, whereas narcissistic admiration has a protecting relationship. Finally, our results indicate that the indirect effects of narcissistic rivalry on radical right party support via right–wing authoritarianism and social dominance orientation, respectively, are mediated by anti–immigrant sentiment. All in all, our results suggest that in studies on ideological orientations and voting behaviour, both dimensions of grandiose narcissism should be considered due to their contradictory relationship. Moreover, our findings indicate that the success of radical right parties might be the expression of personality dispositions of some parts of the electorate. © 2020 The Authors. European Journal of Personality published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Association of Personality Psychology


2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 168-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jens Lange ◽  
Jan Crusius ◽  
Birk Hagemeyer

It is widely assumed that narcissists are envious. Nevertheless, evidence supporting this claim has remained elusive. In five studies (N = 1,225), we disentangle how grandiose narcissism predicts divergent envious inclinations. Specific facets of narcissism and forms of envy shared the same underlying motivational orientations (Study 1) and distinctively related to each other (Studies 1 to 5) via differences in emotional appraisal (Study 4). Moreover, envy was linked to opposing social consequences of different narcissism facets (Study 5). Specifically, hope for success related to narcissistic admiration, predicting benign envy, which entails the motivation to improve performance, translating into the ascription of social potency by the self and others. In contrast, fear of failure related to narcissistic rivalry, predicting malicious envy, which entails hostility, translating into the ascription of a proneness for social conflict by others. These results converged with envy measured as a trait (Studies 1 and 5) or state in recall tasks (Studies 2 and 4) and as response to an upward standard in the situation (Study 3). The findings provide important insights into narcissists‘ emotional complexities, integrate prior isolated and conflicting evidence, and open up new avenues for research on narcissism and envy. Copyright © 2016 European Association of Personality Psychology


2014 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliane M. Stopfer ◽  
Boris Egloff ◽  
Steffen Nestler ◽  
Mitja D. Back

In this paper, we investigate personality expression and impression formation processes in online social networks (OSNs). We explore whether, when and why people accurately judge others’ personalities (accuracy), successfully manage the impressions that others form of them (impression management) and accurately infer others’ impressions of them (meta–accuracy) at zero acquaintance. On the basis of targets’ OSN profiles (N = 103), overall perceiver impressions were collected and compared with targets’ self–view, desired impression and meta–perception. In addition, independent groups of thin–slice perceivers based their personality impressions solely on one of four kinds of information within the OSN profiles (profile picture, interests field, group list and notice board), and more than 300 OSN cues (e.g. attractive person and number of friends) were coded. Results showed evidence of accuracy, impression management and meta–accuracy, but their extent was moderated by the trait (e.g. Big Five and self–esteem), the kind of information and the interplay of trait and information. Findings could be explained by cue expression and cue utilization processes (lens model analyses). Future prospects for studying personality impressions in online and offline environments are discussed. Copyright © 2013 European Association of Personality Psychology.


2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 264-278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irena Pilch ◽  
Magdalena Hyla

Abstract The results of the previous research which tried to investigate links between self-esteem and narcissism in search of the source of narcissistic fragility are not consistent. The aim of the study was to contribute to the understanding of this complex relation by assessing relationships between the four facets of grandiose narcissism measured by the NPI and the two kinds of self-esteem i.e. explicit (ESE) and implicit (ISE), and by comparing the results with theoretical models. The Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure, a more recent measure based on response latency, was used to assess ISE. The analysis confirms the reports on NPI heterogeneity. Different relationships between the particular facets of narcissism and ESE/ISE were observed. These differences indicate that composite measures of narcissism and ISE do not reflect the entire complexity of the phenomena. The results provide support for the two theoretical models i.e. the global marker model and the mask model.


2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 358-373 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Tetzner ◽  
Michael Becker ◽  
Jürgen Baumert

This longitudinal study investigated the bidirectional relationship between negative life events and self–esteem during the transition from adolescence to young adulthood (N = 2272). Drawing on theories of human development over the lifespan and just–world theory, we analyzed age–graded changes in self–esteem and their interplay with negative life events at three measurement points over a 12–year period. We addressed both the short–term and the longer term effects of single as well as multiple negative life events on changes in self–esteem (socialization effects). We further investigated whether the pre–event level of self–esteem affected the likelihood of negative life events occurring (selection effects) and, finally, whether it had protective effects in terms of helping people adjust to negative events. Latent change models yielded four main findings: (i) self–esteem increased during young adulthood; (ii) socialization effects were observed over shorter and longer timespans, but (iii) selection effects were only found for multiple negative life events, with low self–esteem predicting a high number of negative life events; (iv) high pre–event self–esteem acted as a protective factor, attenuating declines in self–esteem after experience of multiple negative life events. Copyright © 2016 European Association of Personality Psychology


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-197
Author(s):  
Maria João Velez

Interest in abusive supervision (Tepper, 2000) has increased due to its serious personal andorganizational costs. As such, there is a need for additional studies that identify the individuals’ factorsthat can minimize the adverse effects of abusive supervision.Specifically, we predict employee self-esteem as a buffer of the relationship between abusivesupervision, organizational trust and in-role behaviors. Additionally, we suggest organizational trustas a possible mechanism linking abusive supervision to in-role behaviors. Our model was exploredamong a sample of 201 supervisor-subordinate dyads from different organizational settings. The resultsof the moderated mediation analysis supported our hypotheses. That is, abusive supervision wassignificantly related to in-role behaviors via organizational trust when employees’ self-esteem waslow, but not when it was high. These findings suggest that self-esteem buffers the impact of abusivesupervision perceptions on organizational trust, with consequences for performance.


Author(s):  
Jeffry A. Simpson ◽  
Heike A. Winterheld

In this chapter, we review theories and research that have adopted interactional (person-by-situation) approaches to the study of relationships. We first discuss interactional thinking within social and personality psychology, highlighting the fundamental ways in which individuals and situations intersect. We then review three major theoretical models that are exemplars of person-by-situation frameworks and have important implications for interpersonal processes: the cognitive-affective processing system (CAPS) model (Mischel & Shoda, 1995), interdependence theory (Kelley & Thibaut, 1978), and attachment theory (Bowlby, 1969, 1973, 1980). Following this, we explain how and why different person-by-situation approaches have expanded our understanding of individuals within relationships, focusing on romantic relationships. We spotlight programs of research on self-esteem and dependency/risk regulation, promotion versus prevention orientations, and diathesis-stress models based in attachment theory. These lines of inquiry have documented that certain types of situations elicit unique reactions in people who have specific dispositional strengths (e.g., high self-esteem, greater attachment security) or vulnerabilities (e.g., low self-esteem, greater attachment insecurity). Collectively, this research confirms that one cannot predict or understand how individuals think, feel, or behave in relationships without knowing the relational context in which they are embedded. We conclude by identifying new directions in which interactional-based thinking might head, focusing on how functional strategies can further our understanding of person-by-situation effects.


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