"Narcissism is a quality of the self that has significant implications for thinking, feeling, and behaving. Individuals with narcissistic personality possess highly inflated, unrealistically positive views of the self. Oftentimes, this includes strong self-focus, feelings of entitlement, and lack of regard for others. Narcissists focus on what benefits them personally, with less regard for how their actions may benefit (or harm) others. Most interesting from our perspective as self-researchers is the vast array of self-regulatory strategies used by narcissists (e.g., admiration-seeking, bragging, displaying material goods, socializing with important individuals, etc.). These strategies are both causes and consequences of narcissists’ inflated self-beliefs. Our general orientation toward the narcissistic self is evident in the agency model of narcissism (Campbell, Brunell, & Finkel, 2006). As originally conceptualized, however, the agency model left out some important aspects of narcissistic self-regulation. In this chapter, we briefly review the literature on narcissism and more specifically narcissistic self-regulation. We then present an extended agency model that includes aspects of narcissistic self regulation previously ignored by the original model. Finally, we discuss some of the current controversies surrounding narcissism in the literature..."
CONCLUSION
"...In summary, there are clearly a variety of different theoretical takes on narcissism, and there is much to be done to resolve many of the controversies in the field of narcissism research. Perhaps the most important point we wanted to make by writing this chapter is that we believe narcissism should be thought of as neither entirely healthy nor unhealthy. Rather, we believe that the consequences of narcissism are largely dependent upon the context in which narcissism is studied and the outcome variables that are assessed, with narcissism being associated with positive outcomes in certain contexts. As is seen in our extended agency model, there is a variety of things that narcissists do that are potentially beneficial (at least to the self) in some contexts.
"However, some of the things that narcissists do may only succeed if they possess certain skills that are commonly associated with narcissism (e.g., high extraversion and confidence). If these skills do not exist, we may see a breakdown in the system that may in some cases lead to depressed feelings and even treatment seeking. In other cases, narcissistic individuals may possess a level of skill required to maintain the system and their narcissistic esteem. If the latter is true, then we suspect that changing narcissism will be difficult indeed. What would a person who feels great about herself want to change? However, it may be possible to alter narcissism, not by attacking the features of narcissism, but instead by feeding the components of the narcissistic self that are lacking (e.g., communal concerns). Doing so may lessen the need to use strategies and skills that further increase narcissism (e.g., “game-playing” in relationships in order to satisfy agentic desires), thus weakening the narcissistic system. Of course, more research is need on this topic, but it suggests a possible remedy for a personality trait that, although in many cases is beneficial to the self, can be very problematic interpersonally and at a societal level."
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