Narcissism and the Five Factor Model of Personality - Essay Example

Narcissism Narcissistic Personality Disorder or NAR is defined as an all-pervasive pattern of grandiosity, with need for admiration, and lack of empathy” (APA, 1994,p. 658). Low modesty characterised primarily by arrogance, grandiosity, superiority, haughty attitudes, low altruism characterised by expecting favourable treatment by others, and a lack of empathy; all of these contribute to the true understanding of this disorder. (Widiger, Trull et al, 2002) While NAR shares the characteristic of low agreeableness or antagonism with other behavioural disorders but the levels of antagonism sets all the disorders apart. For example the manipulativeness and suspiciousness seen in other behavioural disorders is not very characteristic of Narcissistic Personality Disorder at all. (Widiger, Trull et al, 2002) A person with a narcissistic bend of mind also tends to have comparatively higher levels of conscientiousness than other individuals with behavioural problems such as Histrionic Personality Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder or even Antisocial Personality Disorder. (Widiger, Trull et al, 2002) Conscientiousness is one of the facets of the Neo Five Factor model of Personality (FFM) and while people with narcissistic tendencies are good in their handling of this facet; it is their constant drive for more achievement that is their calling card. (Widiger, Trull et al, 2002) Most people suffering from behavioural disorders may be in denial about certain facets of their personality, but this trait is especially excessive in the case of those with NAR. (Widiger, Trull et al, 2002) Excessively low levels of self-reporting under the Neuroticism section of the FFM may actually be a strong indicator of narcissistic tendencies. But this is especially true if these scores are vastly different from the scores given by family members, spouses or friends. (Costa & McCrae, 1990). It is often those around a NAR personality who are much more truthful of the person, their problems and insecurities as they have an unbiased and complete view of the person’s life. Therefore any kind of significant differences between family and friends’ ratings and self-ratings are very useful in understanding the problem of an inflated self-esteem. (Costa & McCrae, 1990). This inflated self esteem is also easy to break down. With no one around to make them feel superior; not hearing the right stuff from people can make people with NAR feel depressed. All their big ideas of life and self-important attitudes can easily be torn down to leave an empty shell behind. This weakness is often seen in people who have NAR and have chosen to seek treatment about it. (Kernberg, 1984) In order to understand and get a general idea of people who are suffering from this particular behavioural disorder; a new way of measuring narcissism was created. It should be answered in non-clinical conditions. It is called that the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI) and is by far the most widely used tool for the measurement of narcissism. It was developed by Raskin & Hall in 1979 and is a 40-item self-report, forced-choice questions with ‘true’ or ‘false’ as answer options. Respondents must choose what is most applicable to themselves. (Widiger, Trull et al, 2002) The NPI was based on the DSM-III (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders’ criterion for narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). It is also said to be based on the Neo Five Factor model of Personality (FFM). (Widiger, Trull et al, 2002) But as NPI is usually designed to measure these features in the general population, so the NPI often measures either “normal” or borderline narcissism. That is to say that there may be many people who display narcissistic tendencies but may not suffer from Narcissistic Personality Disorder. The question is still up for debate. (Widiger, Trull et al, 2002) The NPI structure has also been a matter of great debate; this is because this questionnaire was initially based on the DSM criteria for NPD. In their initial report Raskin and Terry had identified seven key factors as the back-bone of the NPI. They were superiority, self-sufficiency entitlement, authority, exploitativeness, vanity, and exhibitionism, which are very close to being the DSM criterion for the presence of NPD. (Raskin, Hall, 1979). It has been seen that people who score high on the NPI are very likely to cheat on their spouse and even indulge in emotional games when in relationships. They have no qualms in expecting and demanding more out of life and keeping all they get selfishly hidden away. (Raskin, Hall, 1979). Beyond the NPI is the NPDS, the Narcissistic Personality Disorder Scale. This is based on the DSM IV and the respondents have to answer forced-choice true or false questions that are very intense. A high rating on this scale can lead to people being seen as covert, very sensitive, vulnerable or depressed. It is an 18-item self-report inventory and comprises solely of ‘true’ or ‘false’ answers from which the respondents must choose one of. (Ashby, Lee, & Duke, 1979) These kind of narcissistic individuals are usually overtly shy, nervous and shut out. The NPD sufferer is completely sensitive to any kind of criticism and feels very shameful easily. This mousy exterior, however, contains an inner sense of exaggerated self worth, self-importance and a belief of being better than all others. (Widiger, Trull et al, 2002) Widiger speaks about the Neo Five Factor model of Personality (FFM) influencing the narcissistic personality. Following the components of the FFM model: Neuroticism: Anxiety, Angry-hostility – NPI , Depression, Self-consciousness – NPDS, Impulsiveness, Vulnerabilitv, Extraversion: Warmth, Gregariousness, Assertiveness, Activity. Excitement seeking, Positive emotions Openness to Experience: Fantasy – NPI, Aesthetics, Feelings, Actions, Ideas, Values Agreeableness: Trust, Straightforwardness, Altruism – NPDS, Compliance, Modesty – NPDS, Tender mindedness – NPDS Conscientiousness: Competence, Order, Dutifulness, Achievement striving – NPI, Self-discipline, Deliberation (Widiger, Trull et al, 2002) As can be seen, not all of the items in the Five Factor Model is relevant for people suffering from a kind of narcissism. Another point that can be strongly noted is that those parts of the FFM that are valid as far as NPI is considered do not hold true for NPDS and vice versa. (Raskin, Hall, 1979). In further explanation; under the broad concept of Neuroticism comes both Angry-hostility, a NPI trait and self-consciousness, a NPDS trait. The anger is a clear behaviour of the extroverted overt narcissist while the self-consciousness is the first reaction of an introverted yet inner narcissist. (Raskin, Hall, 1979). To study the relationship between the FFM facets of angry-hostility, self-consciousness, fantasy, altruism, modesty, tender-mindedness and achievement-striving and their correlation with the NPI and NPDS measures of narcissism, 316 individuals participated in a study. These people ranging from the ages of 16 to 51 years were instructed to complete an online questionnaire. The hypothesis that the NPI and the NPDS would be compatible and partially compatible respectively with the facets proposed by Widiger et al (2002) was seen as true to a point. It was further hypothesized that the NPDS and NPI will not correlate as they are testing different variations of narcissism, specifically overt or extrovert narcissism and covert narcissism which is predominantly characterized by a sense of inner problems. This leads us to our three hypotheses: 1: The narcissistic personality inventory (NPI) relates to the facets of the Neo Five Factor model of Personality in the same way Widiger proposes? This will show that these facets truly explore the behavioural challenges faced by borderline narcissistic cases. 2: The Narcissistic Personality Disorder Scale (NPDS) will be partially compatible with Widiger’s FFM profile. This will show that covert narcissism is drastically different from the average narcissistic tendencies and as such, have a different kind of emotional structure. 3: The items relating to the NPDS and NPI will not correlate as they are testing different variations of narcissism. Results The tables very definitely tell us that people who have taken either the NPI and the NPDS have mostly picked up a positive average around the same facets that Widiger proposed when talking about the FFM. In table no 1, we can see the high means picked up for those specific aspects that were specifically chosen by Widiger for those suffering from Narcissistic Personality Disorder, Angry hostility, Self-consciousness, Openness to Experience, Fantasy, Agreeableness , Altruism, Modesty, Tender-Mindedness, Conscientiousness and Achievement-Striving. In table no 2, we can see the correlation between the NPI and the revised Neo facets. The numbers show a sharp increase in the sections relating to Angry hostility, Fantasy and Achievement-Striving; the three facets that Widiger had honed in on as NPI-related facets in particular. In table no 3, we can see the correlation between the NPDS and the revised Neo facets. The numbers show a sharp increase in the sections relating to Angry hostility, Self-consciousness, Fantasy and Modesty; the four facets that Widiger had honed in on as NPDS-related facets. In table no 4, we can see the correlation between the NPI and the Multiple Regression Analysis. Again the common suspects were Angry hostility, Fantasy and Achievement-Striving and they were the top percentile of options that were marked by people. In table no 5, we can see the correlation between the NPDS and the Multiple Regression Analysis. Again the common suspects were Angry hostility and Self-consciousness which were the top percentile of options that were marked by people. This shows without a doubt that people who showcased a narcissistic streak were definitely encouraged to head in certain ways by their behavioural disorder. But it also brings into light a step where Widiger faltered, he has consistently mentioned Altruism, Modesty, Tender-Mindedness and Conscientiousness as options favoured by those with NPDS; but not many of these options were chosen. Discussion Our three hypotheses were: 1: The narcissistic personality inventory (NPI) relates to the facets of the Neo Five Factor model of Personality in the same way Widiger proposes? 2: The Narcissistic Personality Disorder Scale (NPDS) will be partially compatible with Widiger’s FFM profile. 3: The NPDS and NPI will not correlate as they are testing different variations of narcissism. The people chose options as suitable and Widiger’s facets of FFM came optimally close to the end result. As far as the NPI was concerned, Widiger’s study was spot on about the understanding of the main aspirations and true feelings of the disorder. According to him, the NPI could show that the people had a strong sense of self-worth. The other options that he’d cherry-picked for NPI were Angry hostility, Openness to Experience, Fantasy and Achievement-Striving. Most of these got high points as they were picked up by most of the respondents. (Widiger, Trull et al, 2002) These concepts were true for those suffering from the common extroverted version of a Narcissistic Personality Disorder. This effectively means that our first hypothesis was proved right. Widiger went a trifle off-base with his calculations about those suffering from Subtle or Malignant Narcissistic Personality Disorder. He had specifically chosen Agreeableness, Altruism, Modesty, Tender-Mindedness and Conscientiousness. But while Modesty and Agreeableness were acceptable by some respondents, many others have ignored these in favour of the other dramatic options. (Widiger, Trull et al, 2002) But it is this imperfection that has proved our second hypothesis right; while not all of Widiger’s predictions about NPD have come true, some of them definitely are. (Widiger, Trull et al, 2002) While the two NPI and NPDS are related to the same behavioural disorder, they can definitely not treated the same way. They can’t even be grouped together in group therapy. While subtle narcissists are very self conscious and quite; their sense of grandiosity and sense of entitlement is going crazy from inside. (Widiger, Trull et al, 2002) On the other hand are the out-and-out narcissists who are completely extroverted and feels that the world belongs to them. These two brands of narcissism cannot possibly be helped in an environment together as the overt narcissistic will take over proceedings pushing down the subtle narcissistic. This will neither let the latter develop nor tame the former. This also goes on to prove the 3rd hypothesis. These results have shown that people with narcissistic tendencies tend to favour these options: Angry hostility, Self-consciousness, Openness to Experience, Fantasy, Agreeableness, Altruism, Modesty, Tender-Mindedness, Conscientiousness and Achievement-Striving. We can therefore safely say that narcissists are essentially very angry and frustrated easily. They are expecting too much out of life and are never happy with what they get. Happily though, this doesn’t stop them from going out and experiencing new things and situations. (Widiger, Trull et al, 2002) They are also honest people, though a trifle selfish due to their insecurities. But above everything else, every narcissist has one dream; to one day become better than the rest and they don’t take this mission lightly. They keep fighting till they have found what they fell in love with… but much like Narcissus who fell in love with his reflection, their true love is always a little out of reach. Reference List Akhtar, S., & Thomson, J. A. (1982). Overview: Narcissistic Personality Disorder. American Journal of Psychiatry, 139, 12-20.  Alliance of Psychoanalytic Organizations (2006). Psychodynamic diagnostic manual (PDM). Silver Spring, MD: Alliance of Psychoanalytic Organizations.  Ashby, H. U., Lee, R. R., & Duke, E. H. (1979). A Narcissistic Personality Disorder MMPI Scale. Paper presented at the A.P.A. National Convention.   Bursten, B. (1973). Some narcissistic personality types. International Journal of Psycho-Analysis, 54, 287-300.  Costa, P. T., & McCrae, R. R. (1992). Revised NEO personality inventory and NEO five-factor inventory professional manual. Odessa, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources.  Costa, P. T., & McCrae, R. R. (1995). Domains and Facets: Hierarchical personality Assessment Using the Revised NEO Personality Inventory. Journal of Personality Assessment, 64(1), 21-50  Hendin, H. M., & Cheek, J. M. (1997). Assessing hypersensitive narcissism: A reexamination of Murray's Narcism Scale. Journal of Research in Personality, 31, 588-599.  Masterson, J. F. (1993). The emerging self: A developmental, self, and object relations approach to the treatment of the closet narcissistic disorder of the self. Philadelphia, PA, US: Brunner/Mazel.  Raskin, R. N., & Hall, C. S. (1979). A narcissistic personality inventory. Psychological Reports, 45, 590-590.  Widiger, T. A., Trull, T. J., Clarkin, J. F., Sanderson, C., & Costa, P. T. (2002). A description of the DSM-IV personality disorders with the five-factor model of personality. In T. A. Widiger & P. T. Costa (Eds.),Personality disorders and the five-factor model of personality (2nd ed.). (pp. 89-99). Washington, DC US: American Psychological Association. Read More

All their big ideas of life and self-important attitudes can easily be torn down to leave an empty shell behind. This weakness is often seen in people who have NAR and have chosen to seek treatment about it. (Kernberg, 1984) In order to understand and get a general idea of people who are suffering from this particular behavioural disorder; a new way of measuring narcissism was created. It should be answered in non-clinical conditions. It is called that the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI) and is by far the most widely used tool for the measurement of narcissism.

It was developed by Raskin & Hall in 1979 and is a 40-item self-report, forced-choice questions with ‘true’ or ‘false’ as answer options. Respondents must choose what is most applicable to themselves. (Widiger, Trull et al, 2002) The NPI was based on the DSM-III (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders’ criterion for narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). It is also said to be based on the Neo Five Factor model of Personality (FFM). (Widiger, Trull et al, 2002) But as NPI is usually designed to measure these features in the general population, so the NPI often measures either “normal” or borderline narcissism.

That is to say that there may be many people who display narcissistic tendencies but may not suffer from Narcissistic Personality Disorder. The question is still up for debate. (Widiger, Trull et al, 2002) The NPI structure has also been a matter of great debate; this is because this questionnaire was initially based on the DSM criteria for NPD. In their initial report Raskin and Terry had identified seven key factors as the back-bone of the NPI. They were superiority, self-sufficiency entitlement, authority, exploitativeness, vanity, and exhibitionism, which are very close to being the DSM criterion for the presence of NPD.

(Raskin, Hall, 1979). It has been seen that people who score high on the NPI are very likely to cheat on their spouse and even indulge in emotional games when in relationships. They have no qualms in expecting and demanding more out of life and keeping all they get selfishly hidden away. (Raskin, Hall, 1979). Beyond the NPI is the NPDS, the Narcissistic Personality Disorder Scale. This is based on the DSM IV and the respondents have to answer forced-choice true or false questions that are very intense.

A high rating on this scale can lead to people being seen as covert, very sensitive, vulnerable or depressed. It is an 18-item self-report inventory and comprises solely of ‘true’ or ‘false’ answers from which the respondents must choose one of. (Ashby, Lee, & Duke, 1979) These kind of narcissistic individuals are usually overtly shy, nervous and shut out. The NPD sufferer is completely sensitive to any kind of criticism and feels very shameful easily. This mousy exterior, however, contains an inner sense of exaggerated self worth, self-importance and a belief of being better than all others.

(Widiger, Trull et al, 2002) Widiger speaks about the Neo Five Factor model of Personality (FFM) influencing the narcissistic personality. Following the components of the FFM model: Neuroticism: Anxiety, Angry-hostility – NPI , Depression, Self-consciousness – NPDS, Impulsiveness, Vulnerabilitv, Extraversion: Warmth, Gregariousness, Assertiveness, Activity. Excitement seeking, Positive emotions Openness to Experience: Fantasy – NPI, Aesthetics, Feelings, Actions, Ideas, Values Agreeableness: Trust, Straightforwardness, Altruism – NPDS, Compliance, Modesty – NPDS, Tender mindedness – NPDS Conscientiousness: Competence, Order, Dutifulness, Achievement striving – NPI, Self-discipline, Deliberation (Widiger, Trull et al, 2002) As can be seen, not all of the items in the Five Factor Model is relevant for people suffering from a kind of narcissism.

Another point that can be strongly noted is that those parts of the FFM that are valid as far as NPI is considered do not hold true for NPDS and vice versa.

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