Grandiose Narcissism Versus Vulnerable Narcissism in Threatening Situations: Emotional Reactions to Achievement Failure and Interpersonal Rejection

2010 ◽  
Vol 29 (8) ◽  
pp. 874-902 ◽  
Author(s):  
Avi Besser ◽  
Beatriz Priel
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Reactions ◽  
Grandiose Narcissism ◽  
Vulnerable Narcissism ◽  
Interpersonal Rejection ◽  
Achievement Failure

scholarly journals Pathological Narcissism and Emotional Responses to Rejection: The Impact of Adult Attachment

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha Reis ◽  
Elizabeth Huxley ◽  
Bryan Eng Yong Feng ◽  
Brin F. S. Grenyer
Keyword(s):  
Adult Attachment ◽  
Emotional Reactivity ◽  
Emotional Reactions ◽  
Grandiose Narcissism ◽  
Pathological Narcissism ◽  
Vulnerable Narcissism ◽  
Narcissistic Vulnerability ◽  
Negative Trait ◽  
Preoccupied Attachment ◽  
The Impact

Background: Aspects of pathological narcissism, such as grandiosity, vulnerability and entitlement, tend be enacted in therapeutic settings, negatively influencing outcome and alliance between the clients and therapist. This research took an experimental approach to understanding the interplay between the emotional reactions of individuals with a pathological narcissistic presentation, and adult attachment style. We predicted that participants reporting narcissistic vulnerability would report greater insecurity in attachment (fearful and preoccupied styles), greater trait emotional reactivity, and also experience more intense and negative responses to simulated rejectionMethods: 269 participants (75.84% female, median age = 21) completed baseline and rejection trials of a virtual ball-tossing game, following the assessment of grandiose and vulnerable pathological narcissism, entitlement, adult attachment, trait emotional reactivity (measured prior to the rejection) and in-situ affective response (measured both before and after the rejection). Change in affect from baseline was calculated to capture affective responses to the manipulation.Results: Vulnerable narcissism was positively associated with both fearful and preoccupied attachment, and negatively associated with secure and dismissive attachment, whilst grandiose narcissism was significantly related to preoccupied attachment only. Multiple hierarchical regression analyses showed vulnerable narcissism predicted both (1) more negative trait emotional reactivity and (2) a significant increase in negative affect following the rejection trial. Grandiose narcissism was associated with (1) higher positive trait emotional reactivity, and (2) significant reductions in positive affect following rejection.Conclusion: Results indicated that those high in pathological narcissistic vulnerability reported greater insecurity in attachment, negative trait emotional reactivity and experienced a more negative and intense emotional reaction to rejection. Grandiose narcissism was related to a more deactivated pattern of emotional reactivity, and less positive (rather than more negative) emotional reactions. Findings have important implications for therapy, particularly regarding communication of emotions for individuals high in vulnerable and grandiose narcissism.

The Relationship Between Narcissism and Personality Traits of the Five-Factor-Model in Adolescents and Young Adults

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (6) ◽  
pp. 516-522 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Allroggen ◽  
Peter Rehmann ◽  
Eva Schürch ◽  
Carolyn C. Morf ◽  
Michael Kölch
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Personality Traits ◽  
Five Factor Model ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Adolescents And Young Adults ◽  
Personality Factors ◽  
Big Five Personality ◽  
Grandiose Narcissism ◽  
Vulnerable Narcissism ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract.Narcissism is seen as a multidimensional construct that consists of two manifestations: grandiose and vulnerable narcissism. In order to define these two manifestations, their relationship to personality factors has increasingly become of interest. However, so far no studies have considered the relationship between different phenotypes of narcissism and personality factors in adolescents. Method: In a cross-sectional study, we examine a group of adolescents (n = 98; average age 16.77 years; 23.5 % female) with regard to the relationship between Big Five personality factors and pathological narcissism using self-report instruments. This group is compared to a group of young adults (n = 38; average age 19.69 years; 25.6 % female). Results: Grandiose narcissism is primarily related to low Agreeableness and Extraversion, vulnerable narcissism to Neuroticism. We do not find differences between adolescents and young adults concerning the relationship between grandiose and vulnerable narcissism and personality traits. Discussion: Vulnerable and grandiose narcissism can be well differentiated in adolescents, and the pattern does not show substantial differences compared to young adults.

‘Just checking’: Vulnerable and grandiose narcissism subtypes as predictors of phubbing

2020 ◽  
pp. 205015792094227
Author(s):  
Rachel Grieve ◽  
Evita March
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Multiple Regression ◽  
Social Outcomes ◽  
Grandiose Narcissism ◽  
Vulnerable Narcissism ◽  
Online Study ◽  
Self Worth ◽  
Shared Variance

“Phubbing” (phone snubbing) refers to a set of behaviors where phone users focus on their mobile phone instead of interacting with their physically proximal companions. Building on existing understanding of problematic phone use, this study examined narcissism subtypes as predictors of phubbing behavior. Participants ( n = 250 smartphone users) completed an anonymous online study where they reported their phubbing behaviors and completed measures of vulnerable narcissism, grandiose narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism. Analysis was via multiple regression, with vulnerable and grandiose narcissism as predictors; psychopathy and Machiavellianism were also included to account for shared variance with grandiose narcissism. As hypothesized, vulnerable narcissism emerged as a significant predictor in the model, such that higher levels of vulnerable narcissism were associated with more phubbing. In light of previously established negative social outcomes associated with phubbing behaviors, we conclude that although phubbing might help those high in vulnerable narcissism to manage their need for admiration and their contingent self-worth, phubbing may be particularly problematic for these individuals.

scholarly journals Lay theories of grandiose and vulnerable narcissism

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatjana Koepernik ◽  
Emanuel Jauk ◽  
Philipp Kanske
Keyword(s):  
Public Discourse ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Implicit Theories ◽  
Social Consequences ◽  
Public Image ◽  
Grandiose Narcissism ◽  
Vulnerable Narcissism ◽  
The Public ◽  
Motivational States ◽  
Psychological Theories

AbstractIn public discourse, narcissism is often portrayed one-sidedly and overly negative, rendering a picture of narcissistic individuals as “toxic people” or “evil characters”. Beyond these salient associations, psychological theories point to a more complex phenomenon, and different developmental mechanisms are being discussed in relation to it. We investigated the prevalence of different implicit theories on narcissism including beliefs about its developmental antecedents. We put forward the question whether grandiose and vulnerable narcissistic behaviors are regarded as congruent or incongruent expressions of underlying feelings and motives, that is whether grandiose behavior is attributed to underlying grandiosity or underlying vulnerability, and vice versa. Results of an online survey (N = 177) show higher agreement with congruent rather than incongruent theories (i.e., grandiose narcissism is attributed to feelings of superiority rather than inferiority, vulnerable narcissism is attributed to inferiority rather than superiority). In line with this, participants displayed predominant beliefs in parental overvaluation as a developmental antecedent of grandiose narcissism/parental coldness as an antecedent of vulnerable narcissism. With higher self-reported prior knowledge of narcissism, endorsement of theories assuming incongruencies increased. The likability of narcissism was not associated with endorsement of the different implicit theories, but instead with perceivers’ own narcissism levels. Results suggest that laypeople employ an “it is what it seems” – heuristic facing both grandiose and vulnerable narcissistic behaviors and are less likely to attribute grandiose or vulnerable behavior to incongruent motivational states. Findings might help to better understand the public image of narcissism and its social consequences.

Two Faces of Narcissism and Romantic Attraction: Evidence from a Collectivistic Culture

2012 ◽  
Vol 111 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chunliang Feng ◽  
Yuling Liang ◽  
Hui Zhou ◽  
Li Yi
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Romantic Partners ◽  
The Self ◽  
Grandiose Narcissism ◽  
Romantic Attraction ◽  
Vulnerable Narcissism ◽  
Orientation Model ◽  
Collectivistic Culture

The present study was aimed to extend the self-orientation model (Campbell, 1999) to vulnerable narcissism in a collectivistic culture. Two hundred and twenty-seven college students were recruited from China. Participants reported their ratings on measures of vulnerable and grandiose narcissism, attractions to different (caring vs perfect) targets, and their choices of potential romantic partners. Results indicated that those participants classified as grandiose or vulnerable narcissists were more attracted to perfect targets than non-narcissists. In addition, grandiose narcissists preferred to choose perfect targets as their romantic partners, while vulnerable narcissists did not show such a preference when choosing potential partners. These results suggested that culture could influence the function of narcissism. The self-orientation model could not fully explain the choices of vulnerable narcissists.

scholarly journals The relationship of narcissism with tendency to react with anger and hostility: The roles of neuroticism and emotion regulation ability

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Z. Czarna ◽  
Marcin Zajenkowski ◽  
Oliwia Maciantowicz ◽  
Kinga Szymaniak
Keyword(s):  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
Common Core ◽  
Emotional Stability ◽  
Grandiose Narcissism ◽  
Vulnerable Narcissism ◽  
Significant Relationships ◽  
The Common ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract The present study examined the relationship of grandiose and vulnerable narcissism with dispositional anger and hostility. We investigated the roles of neuroticism, emotional intelligence, and gender in this relationship, using a sample of 405 participants. The results indicated that vulnerable narcissism was associated with a higher tendency toward anger and hostility, and that neuroticism accounted for a large part of this association. Poor emotion managing, known as strategic emotion regulation ability, also played a role in hostility related to vulnerable narcissism, especially among men. When emotional stability was controlled for, grandiose narcissism showed links to anger and hostility. We concluded that high neuroticism and poor emotion regulation abilities among vulnerable narcissists contribute to increased anger/hostility, whereas emotional stability likely protects grandiose narcissists against these internal aspects of aggression. The significant relationships between both forms of narcissism with aggression, remaining after neuroticism and emotion regulation were accounted for, suggest that there is another underlying source of this link. Finally, we found that controlling for interindividual differences in neuroticism significantly increased the relationship between vulnerable and grandiose narcissism, suggesting the existence of the common core of narcissism.

Grandiose and Vulnerable Narcissism in Relation to Life Satisfaction, Self-Esteem, and Self-Construal

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 194-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elke Rohmann ◽  
Stephanie Hanke ◽  
Hans-Werner Bierhoff
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Relational Self ◽  
Grandiose Narcissism ◽  
Vulnerable Narcissism ◽  
Self Construal ◽  
Growing Body ◽  
Interdependent Self

Abstract. A growing body of research suggests the viability of the distinction between grandiose and vulnerable narcissism. Each subtype of narcissism reveals distinct associations with life satisfaction, self-esteem, and self-construal. The goal of the present study ( N = 253) is to apply this distinction to replicate the results of previous studies with respect to life satisfaction and self-esteem and to extend the perspective by focusing on several components of self-construal: independent and interdependent (cf. Singelis, 1994 ). In addition, interdependent self-construal is either relational-interdependent or collective-interdependent (cf. Cross, Hardin, & Gercek-Swing, 2011 ). Specifically, four hypotheses are examined which have in common the assumption that grandiose and vulnerable narcissism diverge systematically in their implications for life satisfaction, self-esteem, and self-construal. Grandiose narcissism is expected to correlate positively with life satisfaction, self-esteem, independent self-construal, and collective-interdependent self-construal. In contrast, vulnerable narcissism is assumed to correlate negatively with self-esteem and life satisfaction and positively with interdependent and relational self-construal. The results, which confirm these hypotheses, underscore the necessity to differentiate between grandiose and vulnerable narcissism. Remarkably, both subtypes of narcissism are related to distinct dimensions of interdependent self-construal. Whereas grandiose narcissism is anchored in collective interdependence, vulnerable narcissism is embedded in relational interdependence.

Narcissists Stand United

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 204-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Hart ◽  
Kyle Richardson ◽  
Gregory K. Tortoriello
Keyword(s):  
Grandiose Narcissism ◽  
Vulnerable Narcissism ◽  
Positive Attitudes

Abstract. Previous research suggests narcissists (vs. non-narcissists) may perceive grandiose narcissism as a less dislikeable trait in others. However, previous research has only addressed this phenomenon from the perspective of a grandiose narcissistic perceiver and not from the perspective of a vulnerable narcissistic perceiver, thus limiting understanding of whether the phenomenon unites or distinguishes between grandiose and vulnerable narcissism forms. The current study examined this phenomenon from the perspective of vulnerable and grandiose narcissistic perceivers. Participants indicated liking judgments of actors behaving in a way consistent with grandiose narcissism (narcissistically) or non-narcissistically and their attitudes toward the category “narcissists.” Although participants indicated less liking for the narcissistic (vs. non-narcissistic) actor, this relative disliking for narcissists was reduced as a function of perceiver grandiose and vulnerable narcissism; furthermore, perceiver grandiose and vulnerable narcissism each related to more positive attitudes toward “narcissists.”

scholarly journals Guilt and proneness to shame: Unethical behaviour in vulnerable and grandiose narcissism

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pauline Georgees Poless ◽  
Linda Torstveit ◽  
Ricardo Gregorio Lugo ◽  
Marita Andreassen ◽  
Stefan Sütterlin
Keyword(s):  
Moral Emotions ◽  
Negative Evaluation ◽  
Ethical Behaviour ◽  
Grandiose Narcissism ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Vulnerable Narcissism ◽  
Unethical Behaviour ◽  
Shame Proneness ◽  
Unethical Decision Making ◽  
Guilt Proneness

Narcissists are described as individuals with dysfunctional personality traits such as lack of psychological awareness and empathy. Theories of ethical behaviour assume that unethical actions trigger moral emotions of guilt and shame. Currently, there is a lack of knowledge on moral emotions as dispositional traits and their potential influences on behaviour in individuals with narcissistic traits. The present study examined vulnerable and grandiose narcissism’s differences in the propensity to experience guilt and shame as a proneness, across a range of personal transgressions. Guilt proneness was measured by negative evaluation of unethical behaviour, and whether this evaluation could influence reparation of tendencies of unethical action in vulnerable and grandiose narcissism. Shame proneness was investigated by negative evaluation of the self, and then whether the previous tendency could affect unethical decision making and behaviour (e.g., hiding), in vulnerable and grandiose narcissism. Two hundred and sixteen participants responded to the Guilt and Shame Proneness Scale, the Narcissistic Personality Inventory Scale and the Hypersensitive Narcissism Scale in an online questionnaire. Findings indicate that grandiose narcissism was negatively associated with guilt proneness, and the relation between the vulnerable narcissism and guilt proneness was negative. Additionally, the results confirm a negative association between grandiose narcissism and shame proneness, especially related to the subscale ‘shame negative self-evaluation’. Furthermore, guilt and shame proneness explained 20% of the variance in vulnerable narcissism and 11% in grandiose narcissism. This research indicates that both vulnerable and grandiose narcissism have the tendency to make unethical decisions, and they are more likely to enact in unethical behaviour. These findings are relevant for the detection of narcissistic individual’s propensity to act unethically in social context.

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