Narcissism — Are You a Narcissist? What Science Says About Narcissism

Narcissism — what it really is

"Narcissist" is one of the most overused psychological terms. In everyday language it means someone vain and self-absorbed. But psychology tells a more nuanced story: narcissism is a personality dimension that exists in everyone to some degree.

Narcissism as a spectrum

Robert Raskin and Howard Terry (1988) developed the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI) — the most widely used measure of narcissism in the general population. The NPI doesn't diagnose a disorder; it measures narcissism as a normal personality trait.

Key distinction:

• Subclinical narcissism (trait) — high NPI score. Means self-confidence, ambition, need for attention. Can be adaptive.
• Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) — clinical diagnosis (DSM-5). Impaired functioning, lack of empathy, destructive relationships. Affects about 1-6% of the population.

The 7 NPI dimensions

1. Authority — belief you're a natural leader
2. Exhibitionism — need to be the center of attention
3. Superiority — feeling better than others
4. Entitlement — belief you deserve special treatment (most linked to pathological narcissism)
5. Exploitativeness — tendency to use others
6. Self-sufficiency — belief you can handle everything alone
7. Vanity — preoccupation with appearance

Healthy narcissism exists

Not all narcissism is toxic. Psychologists distinguish grandiose narcissism (confidence, charisma, dominance — can be beneficial) from vulnerable narcissism (hidden insecurity, hypersensitivity to criticism — more linked to psychological distress).

Research by Campbell & Foster (2007) shows people with moderate grandiose narcissism report higher wellbeing — though their relationships may suffer.

Take the free Narcissism Test (NPI) at PsychoProfil.pl — 40 questions, 7 dimensions, instant results.