The Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI) and NPD

[CZBZ]

NPI: The Narcissistic Personality Inventory measures social narcissism as a dynamic of personality ranging from normal narcissism to abnormal narcissism (higher than average).

NPD: Narcissistic Personality Disorder is a clinical diagnosis measured by meeting five of nine criteria in the DSM-IV

Normal or not normal???

by CZBZ




Normal Narcissism

We ran a thread awhile ago about the NPI, narcissistic personality inventory. This test comes to public attention now because of Dr. Drew Pinsky's book, The Mirror Effect, whereby celebrites were tested to see if their NPI scores were higher than the average person's. Well, duh. Celebrities are more narcissistic than us nobodies...with reality TV celebrities having the highest scores of all. This is easy to understand since most actors work hard to perfect their craft, even enduring years of labor to achieve and sustain celebrity status and reality TV stars don't. Narcissists, as we know, expect to be STARS without corollary effort on their part. It's also interesting that female actors have higher NPI scores than male actors.

Outside of the celebrity world, the highest scores on the NPI at Universities were MBA students in Business Schools. Our next generation of CEOs. Medical students came in next.

Keep in mind that the NPI does not measure clinical narcissism: a Narcissistic Personality Disorder.

"Having trouble committing to one identity?"




Pathological Narcissism: the NPD

The narcissistic personality disorder can only be diagnosed by qualified psychologists after a series of interviews, a review of the patient's life history including childhood dynamics, tests & assessments, and occasionally, a dialog with family members or others who have known the narcissist for an extended period of time.

The Narcissistic Personality Disorder is based on lifelong traits that might be more noticeable during times of stress. Two factors are always indicative of pathological narcissism that may be diagnosable as a personality disorder (Ronningstam, 1995):

          1-Problems in one's relationships at work or in private life; i.e. lack of commitment to others

          2-Extreme reactions to criticism, defeat, and failure; i.e.: narcissistic rage or severe depression.


"Narcissism", as a pathological disorder, can be high or low-functioning. Meaning: how resilient are the narcissist's ego defenses in protecting him or her from life's stresses and uncertainties? If the narcissist is high-functioning, they will be seen as competent, self-confident, ambitious, successful, and as many people falsely assumed: a Great Catch.

If the narcissist's ego defenses are not as high-functioning, or if those defenses break down, they will not be able to maintain the Grandiose self and we may see signs of depression, increased grandiosity, aggression, and extreme attempts to control or manipulate others. With the high-functioning narcissist, they are so good at manipulation that you won't know you've been 'conned' until s/he's gone. Lower functioning narcissist are impulsive, prone to raging, obviously grandiose because their self-image is not supported by reality (like those weird people on American Idol who believe they deserve star status but they can't sing worth a good-gosh). Low-functioning narcissists who are pathological, might commit criminal acts, reacting aggressively towards others whom they perceive to be threatening their self-image. Some people might confuse low-functioning NPD with BPD because of the narcissist's erratic and impulsive reactions. A correct diagnosis is best left to professionals though god bless ya if you can get a loved one into the therapist's office when they are self-destructive.

The narcissist's unwillingness to 'commit' to a long-term therapeutic treatment is another sign of pathological narcissism. It isn't always that they are unwilling to face the consequences of their yucky behavior. they might not be ABLE to face the consequences of their behavior. When the False Self breaks down, the narcissist becomes paranoid because of their 'vulnerability'. They will do almost anything to get away from any situation that threatens the False Self (the only self the narcissists TRUSTS). That is my compassionate view of narcissists who resist taking responsibility for their brokenness.

Research Studies

When you read articles about narcissistic personalities, it's important to note whether the author is measuring narcissism on a dimensional scale (the NPI test) or as a clinical pathology (determined by meeting five of nine criteria in the DSM-IV). In a social measure of narcissism, nobody IS or ISN'T a narcissist. Narcissism is a part of everyone's personality and we might score higher in one of the seven components measured on the NPI than on other components. But if we are unable to 'commit' (bond) to others, if we react aggressively to criticism or judgment, then seeking outside help from a professional might be advised. Otherwise, normal life events will limit any abnormal narcissism we might have about ourselves. That's my opinion and I'm stickin' to it.

Take a look at the Narcissistic Personality Inventory and score yourself. What I've found VERY useful is how the seven traits of my personality are rated. I have a high degree of Authority which might be a problem had I also scored high on exploitativeness. See if you can find valuable insights into your personality by taking this test. Remember, the NPI does not define 'pathology' and no one taking the NPI is diagnosable as a pathological narcissist. A higher than average score might mean ya need to take a good look at what's real and what you pretend is real aobut yourself...and a low score on entitlement does not mean you are healthy and spiritual either. It might mean you lack a sense of deservingness from low self-esteem and that will give you another 'issue' to work on---for the rest of your life maybe.  

I wanted to clarify the distinction between clinically diagnosed NPD and normal measures of narcissism on the NPI. There are numerous research articles in our WoN library and it's important to note whether or not those articles are measuring clinical or non-clinical/normal narcissism. Here's the NPI test which is very useful for people who are interested:

The Narcissistic Personality Inventory Test

1.  A. I have a natural talent for influencing people.
     B. I am not good at influencing people.

2.  A. Modesty doesn't become me.
     B. I am essentially a modest person.

3.  A. I would do almost anything on a dare.
     B. I tend to be a fairly cautious person.

4.  A. When people compliment me I sometimes get embarrassed.
     B. I know that I am good because everybody keeps telling me so.

5.  A. The thought of ruling the world frightens the hell out of me.
     B. If I ruled the world it would be a better place.

6.  A. I can usually talk my way out of anything.
     B. I try to accept the consequences of my behavior.

7.  A. I prefer to blend in with the crowd.
     B. I like to be the center of attention.

8.  A. I will be a success.
    B. I am not too concerned about success.

9.  A. I am no better or worse than most people.
     B. I think I am a special person.

10. A. I am not sure if I would make a good leader.
     B. I see myself as a good leader.

11. A. I am assertive.
     B. I wish I were more assertive.

12. A. I like to have authority over other people.
     B. I don't mind following orders.

13. A. I find it easy to manipulate people.
     B. I don't like it when I find myself manipulating people.

14. A. I insist upon getting the respect that is due me.
     B. I usually get the respect that I deserve.

15. A. I don't particularly like to show off my body.
     B. I like to show off my body.

16. A. I can read people like a book.
     B. People are sometimes hard to understand.

17. A. If I feel competent I am willing to take responsibility for making decisions.
     B. I like to take responsibility for making decisions.

18. A. I just want to be reasonably happy.
     B. I want to amount to something in the eyes of the world.

19. A. My body is nothing special.
     B. I like to look at my body.

20. A. I try not to be a show off.
     B. I will usually show off if I get the chance.

21. A. I always know what I am doing.
     B. Sometimes I am not sure of what I am doing.

22. A. I sometimes depend on people to get things done.
     B. I rarely depend on anyone else to get things done.

23. A. Sometimes I tell good stories.
     B. Everybody likes to hear my stories.

24. A. I expect a great deal from other people.
     B. I like to do things for other people.

25. A. I will never be satisfied until I get all that I deserve.
     B. I take my satisfactions as they come.

26. A. Compliments embarrass me.
     B. I like to be complimented.

27. A. I have a strong will to power.
     B. Power for its own sake doesn't interest me.

28. A. I don't care about new fads and fashions.
     B. I like to start new fads and fashions.

29. A. I like to look at myself in the mirror.
     B. I am not particularly interested in looking at myself in the mirror.

30. A. I really like to be the center of attention.
     B. It makes me uncomfortable to be the center of attention.

31. A. I can live my life in any way I want to.
     B. People can't always live their lives in terms of what they want.

32. A. Being an authority doesn't mean that much to me.
     B. People always seem to recognize my authority.

33. A. I would prefer to be a leader.
     B. It makes little difference to me whether I am a leader or not.

34. A. I am going to be a great person.
     B. I hope I am going to be successful.

35. A. People sometimes believe what I tell them.
     B. I can make anybody believe anything I want them to.

36. A. I am a born leader.
     B. Leadership is a quality that takes a long time to develop.

37. A. I wish somebody would someday write my biography.
     B. I don't like people to pry into my life for any reason.

38. A. I get upset when people don't notice how I look when I go out in public.
     B. I don't mind blending into the crowd when I go out in public.

39. A. I am more capable than other people.
     B. There is a lot that I can learn from other people.

40. A. I am much like everybody else.
     B. I am an extraordinary person.


SCORING KEY: Assign one point for each response that matches the key.

1, 2 and 3: A

4, 5: B

6: A

7: B

8: A

9, 10: B

11, 12, 13, 14: A

15: B

16: A

17, 18, 19, 20: B

21: A

22, 23: B

24, 25: A

26: B

27: A

28: B

29, 30, 31: A

32: B

33, 34: A

35: B

36, 37, 38, 39: A

40: B


The average score for the general population is 15.3. The average score for celebrities is 17.8. Pinsky says he scored 16.

Young says it is important to consider which traits are dominant. For example, an overall score that reflects more points on vanity, entitlement, exhibitionism and exploitiveness is more cause for concern than someone who scores high on authority, self-sufficiency and superiority, he says.

The seven component traits by question:

• Authority: 1, 8, 10, 11, 12, 32, 33, 36

• Self-sufficiency: 17, 21, 22, 31, 34, 39

• Superiority: 4, 9, 26, 37, 40

• Exhibitionism: 2, 3, 7, 20, 28, 30, 38

• Exploitativeness: 6, 13, 16, 23, 35

• Vanity: 15, 19, 29

• Entitlement: 5, 14, 18, 24, 25, 27




Other Resources:


Thread on WoN discussing normal versus pathological narcissism: "Narcissism & Resistance to Doubts about Romantic Partners (PDF)" in the Narcissism Section


USA Today's Take the NPI with Dr. Drew Pinsky


NPI on The Narcissistic Continuum Blog


Spot the Celebrity Narcissists on the Web of Narcissism's General Board


The Mirror Effect by Dr. Drew Pinsky and Mark Young on amazon.com



Hugs,
CZ

[SydneyFireworks]

Thanks for posting this, CZ.

The narcissistic personality disorder can only be diagnosed by qualified psychologists after a series of interviews, a review of the patient's life history including childhood dynamics, tests & assessments, and occasionally, a dialog with family members or others who have known the narcissist for an extended period of time.

It's a shame pyschologists only occasionally have a dialogue with family members and others who have known the narcissist for an extended period of time... because they (we!) are the only people who get to see behind the mask.  I can't imagine that Ns are even remotely truthful about themselves in interviews and when revealing their life history etc.  And sometimes those written tests are worded such that the 'right' (or non-N) responses are so obvious that a narcissist would have no problem knowing which answers to give.

Which leads me to the NPI test (the one measuring narcissism as a dynamic rather than as a clinical pathology).  Did anyone else find it extremely hard to honestly answer some of the questions? 

There were 11 or 12 questions where I see myself as exactly halfway between the two answers and truly couldn't make a choice between them.  When I gave myself the benefit of the doubt and went with the less N-type answer, my total score was a lowly 4 (probably just as unhealthy as a high score  ).  But when I opted for the more obvious N-type answer, my score was 15 (the same as the average score for the general population)! 

These were the questions I had difficulties with (the answers I would have liked to give, in bold):

1.  A. I have a natural talent for influencing people in some areas.
     B. I am not good at influencing people in some areas.

3.  A. I would do almost anything on a dare.
     B. I tend to be a fairly cautious person.
 C.  I am cautious in some areas of my life, but daring in others.

8.  A. I will be a success.
    B. I am not too concerned about success.
    C.  I will be a success in some areas of my life, but am not too concerned about success in other areas.

10. A. I am not sure if I would make a good leader.
     B. I see myself as a good leader.
     C.  I make a good leader in some situations but not in others.

11. A. I am assertive.
     B. I wish I were more assertive.
     C.  I am assertive in some aspects of my life but wish I were more assertive in others.

12. A. I like to have authority over other people if I believe I am more experienced than them.
     B. I don't mind following orders if they are more experienced than me.

16. A. I can read people like a book.
     B. People are sometimes hard to understand.
   C.   Some people I can read like a book, others are consistently hard to understand.

26. A. Compliments embarrass me.
     B. I like to be complimented.
     C.  I like to be complimented, but sometimes it embarrasses me.

33. A. I would prefer to be a leader
     B. It makes little difference to me whether I am a leader or not.
   C.  It entirely depends on the particular situation.

35. A. People sometimes believe what I tell them.
     B. I can make anybody believe anything I want them to.
    C.  People usually believe what I tell them, but I have no illusions that I can make them believe it

36. A. I am a born leader.
     B. Leadership is a quality that takes a long time to develop.
   C.  Some people are born leaders (or think they are), but some people require a long time to develop leadership skills

37. A. I wish somebody would someday write my biography.
     B. I don't like people to pry into my life for any reason.
   C.  My life is an open book, but I shall write my own (auto)biography in preference to someone else doing so

Anyone else have similar difficulties with the NPI test?

Hugs
Syd

[eyes_up]

Yes, Syd, I have similar difficulties since it is extremely black and white. It is like one is either one way or another.

For example... the whole leadership deal. I found out that I do very well in leadership roles. I don't always enjoy being a leader and then again I do. There are times when leading is fine and then times when I want to not lead,  just go along with the crowd or follow a leader. It is all over the place.  I never thought or figured into the picture that I would be pointing my direction for other to follow. That just came up. It was not in the plan and it was no dream. I was fine directing my own energies.

So the Inventory really doesn't give a whole lot of choices just are you A or B. that feels limited.

eyes

[CZBZ]

"In taking this test, you’ll notice that it’s sometimes difficult to choose between the two choices offered to you. You may feel that neither, or both, apply. This is what social scientists call a forced choice. Although you may feel ambivalent about the choices available to you, the one you do choose has meaning. There are no time constraints for the evaluation, but you should take it in a single sitting, without asking anyone for help or clarification." ~Drew Pinsky

the other problem WE have taking this test is that we KNOW the test measures narcissism. That affects the outcome, too. When they gave the test to 'subjects', they didn't tell them what they were looking for.

Hugs,
CZ

[SydneyFireworks]

"In taking this test, you’ll notice that it’s sometimes difficult to choose between the two choices offered to you. You may feel that neither, or both, apply. This is what social scientists call a forced choice. Although you may feel ambivalent about the choices available to you, the one you do choose has meaning. There are no time constraints for the evaluation, but you should take it in a single sitting, without asking anyone for help or clarification." ~Drew Pinsky

Oh LOL, you don't mean I shoulda read the instructions???!!!

When they gave the test to 'subjects', they didn't tell them what they were looking for.

Yeah, but it's kinda obvious which is the 'nice person' response and which isn't!! 

LOL

Hugs
Syd

[eyes_up]

 


 

[CZBZ]

What kind of women are you two?? CRITICAL THINKERS? Are you questioning the NPI??? Are you considering the 'research base'? Those college-aged kids who believe the world would be a better place if they were in charge?  Does that mean you're gonna consider how the results were achieved and who took those tests and what age they were when they took the tests? Well, if that's the impact of examining the NPI up close and personal, then: 

ha!

CZ

[eyes_up]

I took to one of the questions this morning to figure out why I didn't like the over all questioning. I wrote two different responses , both of which I trashed and ended up in agony. Only because I was doing enough thinking and writing about something that I don't think is exactly that precise or intelligent.

I still recall exactly what I was writing about.

but the issue is for me is these statements which could be read , answered with out being paired up ARE paired up because they reference the same thinking. That is the issue. The thinking hits on narcissism two sides of the same coin. I would rather approach this test as T and F rather.

Do I dare explain this in detail  ?

here is one descriptive response I came up with.

20. A. I try not to be a show off.
     B. I will usually show off if I get the chance.

A. I do not try to not be a show off. Why? because showing off is a fine thing to do.

B. I not usually be a show of if I get the chance either. Why? because I don't have to be a show off. Showing off such as I am doing right about NOW means I am asserting and revealing. i looked it up on the web to make sure I was getting the right meaning to "show off".

So Both no to A and B.

I don't try not to be a show off no more than I usually show off when the chance arrives.

These show off statements are very strict in what they represent and there is no room for anything other than the question. One either relates to the question or does not. I did not relate or identify with the 2 questions in any way.

Both sides of the equation reveal that some one is on edge about showing off. One person is denying them self the opportunity and the other person is looking for the chance and usually takes that chance. all is absolutely ego based which is fine .

I say the test is narrow and while it may speak to many people it will not speak to all people.

eyes

[SydneyFireworks]

Does that mean you're gonna consider how the results were achieved and who took those tests and what age they were when they took the tests? Well, if that's the impact of examining the NPI up close and personal, then: 

~CZ

 

I'm more concerned with the test designer's rationale for the pairings, rather than who took the test!! 

Most of the pairings seem distinctly odd.  I don't get it, but will assume there's method in his 'madness' LOL.

 

Hugs
Syd

[eyes_up]

The questions are laced to a certain mind set and doesn't allow for a different mind set.

For example, exhibitionist... which is the category the question I chose to pick apart is assigned, no surprise. I looked at the statements and both answers tell something about a thought that probably comes to the mind of an of exhibitionist. I have known quite a few . Thing is, it only gives two statements to chose from . both answers are extreme and based on being an exhibitionist.

20. A. I try not to be a show off.
     B. I will usually show off if I get the chance.


If a person is not a show off or an exhibitionist then there is no need to try to not be a show off. but the answer tells me the reader that the person is an exhibitionist ( no matter what). Either trying not to or taking just about every opportunity . It is  like saying ...I  try not to eat fudge brownies and another person saying I eat fudge brownies nearly every chance I get. Both people have interest in fudge brownies. What if I don't care that much about fudge brownies??? How would I choose a response?

Another thing is that even with out knowing what kind of test this is I would have read these statements and they would have been spit out. I read them like I read commercials. some one on a screen telling me how to think rather than me knowing my thoughts and being able to detect when I am being fed another persons thought. As if the mere fact that it is a test made up by professionals which I am to assume is valid there fore the professionals know how to predict my thinking and  behavior.

eyes


 

[BlueSky]

Like many tests, this one is imperfect.  But it was interesting anyway.  I scored low - I think I would have scored higher when I was younger. 

One thing I've been thinking about is what CZ put in the first post about the two factors which could indicate pathological narcissism....definitely think my exN has got those two items going on.  For some reason, reading the words "lack of commitment to others" really made me think and I ended up feeling pretty sad.  ExN certainly would act like he was committed....but his willingness to abandon his son certainly demonstrates a huge lack of commitment.  I still catch myself, from time to time, thinking 'maybe if I'd done things differently....'  but I remind myself that it wouldn't have mattered much what I did as exN never really valued me anyway. 

I was recalling how in one post-divorce email he'd written something about how he felt he'd married a 'best friend' and not a 'romantic partner'.  I felt so crappy reading that.  It was something he'd never said at the time.  Revisionist history, perhaps, or just more of his saying whatever suits him at the moment.  I think out of all the cr@ppy stuff he did and said, his saying one thing and then denying it or revising it days/weeks/months/years later is what got to me the most.

[CZBZ]

You know Bluesky, most of us wonder whether we could have made a difference had we known more about what we were dealing with. But I've heard so many cockamamie excuses as to why a narcissist 'left/rejected' his or her partner, that the only thing that makes sense is that they WANTED to end the relationship. Had we been completely opposite of the way we were, that would have been their reason for ending the relationship. They say whatever 'gets them off the hook' so if you are accused of not being this-or-that and it STICKS, well, the narcissist will pick up on your emotional cues and use that excuse because it works.

Pathological narcissism is formed long before the narcissist even meets a romantic partner. Narcissists have unresolved issues from childhood but those issues are not easily resolved with a few 12-step meetings, ten sessions with a therapist or a series of self-help books. Narcissist's childhood issues are complicated and challenge even the best of therapists. I bring this up because what's helpful to people like ourselves, is finding out that the person the narcissist is 'attacking' is not US. We are standing-in for people (objects) narcissists could not attach to healthily. This was a useful way for me to understand 'why' I was being accused of failing my spouse (which is not true but it is true with his parents). This confused me for a long time but once I pasted the X's mother's face on my 'image', then his perceptions made more sense.

The willingness to abandon a child is unfathomable to most people. The inability to bond with other people, even one's own child, is pathological. No matter WHAT their excuses might be!

"I was recalling how in one post-divorce email he'd written something about how he felt he'd married a 'best friend' and not a 'romantic partner'. 
I felt so crappy reading that. " ~Bluesky

So I guess his insult worked, eh?  I was told a similar thing which made me feel sexually unattractive and inadequate. But let's get real here: the narcissist married a romantic partner who grew up. Revisionist history ? You bet! But it works and it's a fine lie to tell themselves while also stabbing their partner in the heart. Sadistic, aren't they?


Hugs,
CZBZ

[BlueSky]

Thanks, CZ, your comments are helpful!

I sometimes feel bad that exN doesn't see our son anymore.  But if he hadn't had the excuse that I was a 'psycho-ex-wife' who wanted to break up his marriage in addition to being such a bad parent, he would have come up with something else.  It was always apparent that he was willing to skip visits if he had a date or something more interesting to do. 

So much of my bit@hiness was related to my complaints regarding his priorities, etc., and I know a lot of my energy was being directed at trying to get exN to be a more involved parent.  I bet he loved that as it was an easy thing to target and push back against.  Another chunk of energy was spent trying to explain that often it looks like 'bad parenting' when you are dealing with a child on the autistic spectrum and also trying to get his support in helping to deal with our son's struggles.  Even if I'd had a handle on autism/asperger's syndrome and 'looked' like a good parent to exN, exN may never have bought the dx - I would imagine it would be a reaction of 'how dare you say my kid has a problem!  That makes ME look bad!'  No doubt he would have found something to justify his selfish actions.   

I guess what I'm getting at is that it helps to be reminded of the fact that it really doesn't matter much what we do, the N is in another reality!!  Thank you for that!

I liked the "romantic partner who grew up".  I do feel like I've been doing that!  I'd much rather be a grown up.   

[CZBZ]

Bump! This thread might interest those who are currently reading Litha's thread: A Cure for Narcissism?

[eyes_up]

Narcissism: The Malady of Me
By BENEDICT CAREY
Published: December 4, 2010

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/05/weekinreview/05carey.html?emc=eta1

"Stripped of most — but not quite all — of its pathology, “narcissist” becomes an easy way to flag the self-smitten (if not used as an all-purpose insult), and sounds so much more thoughtful than “egomaniac,” the older term, invoking Greek myth and modern psychiatry. “It’s a shorthand you can apply to all these powerful and famous people that allows you to feel superior and have this gloss of science,” said Dr. Michael First, a psychiatrist at Columbia and a former editor of the DSM."

"A word like that is not going anywhere, regardless of what the experts working on the DSM decide. On the contrary: in recent months some of the researchers pushing to drop the diagnosis have softened their stance; the betting now is that the diagnosis is going to remain in the final revision."

"The term, like so many people it describes in life and in treatment, cannot be so easily ignored."

[Litha]

“It’s a shorthand you can apply to all these powerful and famous people that allows you to feel superior and have this gloss of science,” said Dr. Michael First, a psychiatrist at Columbia and a former editor of the DSM."

Is it just me, or does this sound like something a narcissist would say? It has that sound to it, that you only call me a narcissist because you're jealous, you are the one with a problem -- not me ring to it.

I'm guessing Dr. First has been called a narcissist and didn't like it.

[eyes_up]

Litha, I think the issue with in the part you quoted is this ; Not every one using the word Narcissist is using it in the same way. When I use the word I mean something very specific. Specific behavior and even more complex then simply being haughty or egotistical.

So the above is a generalization of what the population will actually do ... pick up on a term and down size its meaning. On the other hand there will be those people who know exactly what the point is.

But, yes, to not acknowledge that people can be smart enough to know the difference and to say that all people rattling off "narc" such as the word "****" well, in one way this is true but in that case why not educate people completely ... instead of just erasing the term. That is what would be a better idea.

Finally, I agree with your perception in that there are plenty of narcs with in the psychological feild. They are not above the disorder. Sooooooo... they are human as well. After reading "Unholy Hungers" The writer claims that there are plenty of vamp-psychologist psychiatrist and therapist. In fact she stated there were a high amount. HA!



eyes

[CZBZ]

UPDATE MARCH 2011

Since we're bringing up the topic of narcissistic kids, I thought some of you might want to see the test used for gauging narcissism. It's easier to 'bump up' an old thread to the top of the board than to write a new message so please indulge me. 

Did anyone take this test for the first time? How'd ya do?


Hugs,
CZ

[too_many]

It still astonishes me to no end that I score so low on these things – since I’m the one member of my family that had the chutzpah to put my name in the bucket for out-of-state scholarships; to decide since I didn’t quite make it to the National Spelling Bee in Washington DC with my mom, I was going to go with classmates for the National History Day fair instead; that for my second nanny job I was a total mercenary and held my ground to get what felt like a beaucoup salary at the time – I was saving $1000 a month the whole time – and that I probably am ‘the’ leader in my department at work, all the Ns there have given up, for the most part, trying to quash me and actually now treat me well.

It is obvious which are the non-narcissistic answers, but I do feel a clear pull towards one of the two in most of the cases. I took this when I first found this board last fall and I think I got a seven – last night I had a four.  And I agree that I’d like the phrase ‘in some areas,’ or other qualifiers on lots of the questions!


too_many

[CZBZ]

To all,

A crucial distinctions between narcissists and non-narcissists is the value we place on relationships. On the NPI, someone may test 'high' on Authority for example (that's me...Authority is my highest category) which might turn me into a chubby Hitler, BUT---my connections to other people hold the 'authoritarian' trait in check. Communal value also means we appreciate and try to emulate pro-social values like caring, sensitivity, empathy, cooperation, equality, etc. One way to look at the narcissistic personality is their definitive preference for Independence/Agency, and depending on the degree of narcissism, a disdain for relationships. I know this can be confusing and I lack proper words to accurately repeat current research so here's three links from our 'Library', written by highly-respected psychologists:

Narcissism, Self-Esteem, and the Positivity of Self-views: Two Portraits of Self-Love

"The authors hypothesized that both narcissism and high self-esteem are associated with positive self-views but each is associated with positivity in different domains of the self. Narcissists perceive themselves as better than average on traits reflecting an agentic orientation (e.g., intellectual skills, extraversion) but not on those reflecting a communal orientation (e.g., agreeableness, morality). In contrast, high-self-esteem individuals perceive themselves as better than average both on agentic and communal traits.

"There are different ways to love oneself. By comparing the self-views of narcissists and HSE individuals, two of these differences become clear. Seeing the self as extremely outgoing and Clever (but not as moral or nice) portrays a very different individual than seeing the self as nice and moral as well as somewhat clever or intelligent. Those who adopt the former view are narcissists, whereas those who adopt the latter view have high self-esteem."

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Does Self-Love lead to Love for Others?

"In sum, we know several things about narcissists’ approach to relationships. They have highly positive self-views in agentic domains, and they report diminished caring for others. However, narcissists want people in their lives to give them the things that they want (e.g., status, power, esteem, sex). Narcissists’ selfregulatory blueprint involves bringing people in and extracting esteem from them. If that entails being, in turn, charming, exciting, deceptive, controlling, or nasty, so be it. We predict that narcissists’ experience of love will reflect these self-views and selfregulatory styles..."

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How Do I Love Me

"...Following that line of thought, the researchers in this study tested the link between narcissism and unconscious self-views in these agentic and communal domains. Conventional wisdom suggests that narcissism would have negative self-views. In other words, narcissists' should unconsciously dislike themselves equally from their intelligence to their level of intimacy in relationships. Narcissists, however, had positive unconscious self-views on the agentic (but not communal) domains.

Campbell, Bosson and colleagues used an Implicit Association Test to assess the participant's underlying views on their self-esteem. Essentially, the test works by recording reaction times to computer-based word associations and relies on the notion that the participants are not aware that their self-esteem is being assessed while they are taking the test. This test was tailored to measure narcissism as it relates to agency, communion, and self-esteem..."

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The thing to remember with the NPI is that it is NOT a measure of pathological narcissism; i.e.: NPD. NPD is a clinical measurement that is only applied to someone who meets five of nine criteria in the DSM-IV. The majority of narcissists causing pain and suffering in society are not NPD. This means that anyone with a high score on the NPI will have troubled relationships, probably leaving a wake of victims in their paths and yet, they are NOT clinically diagnosed with a personality disorder. Now THAT is a scary thought.

Hugs,
CZ