Narcissism: Beyond the Buzzword

Narcissism is a term everyone has been using more and more.

Perhaps this results in people becoming increasingly aware of psychology and psychological terms.

It seems that everyone wants to be the victim of a narcissist, or their partner’s narcissism is the reason why they can’t maintain a relationship.

This constant appeal to the concept of narcissism is both fascinating and frustrating.

In this blog, I will explain the concept of narcissism in plain English, reveal the three main types of narcissism and how the behaviour manifests, and how modern society encourages some narcissistic patterns of behaviour.

The Greek Myth of Echo and Narcissus

During my joint honours course in Greek and Roman literature at university, I studied the myth of Echo and Narcissus.

This Greek myth is the origin of the terms ‘narcissist’ and ‘echoist’. The original Greek myth has gained most of its fame through Ovid’s, Metamorphoses, which I read in Latin.

Echo, a nymph cursed to only repeat the words of others, falls in love with the handsome Narcissus.

However, Narcissus is so enamoured with his reflection in a pool of water that he ignores her. Heartbroken, Echo fades away until only her voice remains. Narcissus, unable to leave his reflection, eventually dies and is transformed into a flower that bears his name.

This story highlights the dangers of excessive self-love and the pain of unrequited love.

Why Narcissistic Traits Exist

When I heard about narcissistic personality disorder for the first time, I wanted to know why these narcissistic traits would exist in anyone.

What evolutionary benefits do these traits offer? How do they aid humanity and the individual?

First, it’s important to note that narcissistic personality disorders are not prevalent in the majority of the population. This suggests that, overall, it’s probably better not to have narcissistic personality disorders—if they were highly beneficial, they would be more common.

However, these traits are inherited by around 0.5-5% of the population, which could indicate that narcissism is “useful”.

Narcissists, especially grandiose narcissists, often have a drive to be seen as remarkable or special. This drive is not necessarily a negative one – some degree of self-importance can translate to you making a real difference in the world.

I am sure that many great CEOs and leaders are more narcissistic than average. Narcissism is also often found in conjunction with the other dark triad personality types: Machiavellism and psychopathy.

Healthy Narcissism

If you were to imagine that you had a complete deficit of narcissism in you at all, then you would be called an echoist.

Echoists struggle to hold viewpoints and assert themselves.

In these cases, an echoist needs to become more narcissistic to develop a stable sense of self.

Some psychologists have branded a healthy balance of narcissistic traits “healthy narcissism“.

If an infant did not deem himself or herself worthy of care, worthy of being looked after, and does not cry when hungry, then it would be extremely problematic. We require some degree of self-importance to survive and thrive.

Narcissism in Neuroscience

Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) may develop due to emotional trauma, genetics, and co-existing mental health conditions like substance abuse, anxiety, and mood disorders.

People with NPD are at higher risk for suicidal behaviour, cardiovascular disease, and gastrointestinal issues.

They are also more likely to have criminal records and may face increased dementia risk. Comprehensive evaluations by mental health practitioners are essential to have an idea of how NPD has developed.

NPD sufferers have less grey matter in brain regions associated with empathy and show increased baseline activity in areas linked to self-centred thinking.

Functional neuroimaging studies of NPD also reveal abnormal activity in these regions.

The Grandiose Narcissist (Overt)

The grandiose narcissist is probably the type of narcissist we recognise in the media and popular culture.

A grandiose narcissist is easy to spot as they display their traits openly.

They are characterised by:

• an inflated sense of self-esteem (fragile)
• a constant need for admiration
• a lack of empathy for others
• display arrogance and entitlement
• a tendency to exploit others for personal gain.

If you’re interested in learning more about the development of grandiose narcissism and how it manifests, Dr Ramani’s video is a great resource.

Perhaps the most intriguing part of her video is her discussion on the development of grandiose narcissism in children.

She explains that grandiose narcissists often prioritise appearances above all else, which can stem from parents or caregivers failing to provide the unconditional love necessary for a secure sense of self.

The Vulnerable Narcissist (Covert)

The covert narcissist is less obvious and harder to identify than the grandiose narcissist. While grandiose narcissists are openly boastful, covert narcissists hide their self-centeredness behind introversion and vulnerability.

They seek validation through subtle and manipulative means, often appearing quiet and self-effacing.

Covert narcissists use passive-aggressive behaviour and play the victim to garner sympathy. They appear caring and empathetic but are self-serving, employing guilt-tripping and subtle put-downs.

This hidden nature makes their narcissism difficult to recognise, leading to prolonged emotional manipulation.

They are characterised by:

• a facade of humility and sensitivity
• a deep sense of insecurity
• a chronic need for reassurance and validation
• feelings of resentment and envy
• tendencies towards passive-aggressive behaviour
• They often appear introverted and self-effacing, masking their true narcissistic traits

Malignant narcissism

The malignant narcissist is the most dangerous and destructive type of narcissist. While grandiose narcissists seek admiration and validation, malignant narcissists combine narcissism with antisocial behaviour, aggression, and a lack of remorse.

I immediately think of American Psycho’s Patrick Bateman, as an archetype for this malignant narcissist.

Malignant narcissists are characterised by:

• Exploitative and manipulative behaviour
• Aggressiveness and sadism
• A lack of empathy and remorse
• A desire for power and control
• Paranoia and a tendency to blame others

Their harmful actions and disregard for others make them particularly damaging and challenging to deal with.

Modern Life and Narcissism

As the book and movie, American Psycho illustrates, a society preoccupied with appearance and material wealth is empty.

When we look at Instagram and other social network sites what do we see?

We see people’s curated lives. We see them in full makeup, jet setting, presenting themselves at their best. We even see how influencers fake aspects of their lives to portray the reality that they want us to see.

Their narcissism is reinforced and encouraged by modern life.

We can also see that narcissism tendencies are on the rise, and have been rising since the late 60s.

This rise in narcissism correlates with the growing emphasis on individualism and self-promotion in our culture. Social media platforms amplify these tendencies by rewarding self-centred behaviour with likes, comments, and followers. The constant exposure to idealised images and lifestyles creates a cycle of comparison, envy, and the need to project an equally perfect life.

As a result, the line between genuine self-expression and narcissistic self-absorption becomes increasingly blurred. This cultural shift not only affects individuals but also shapes societal values, making superficial traits like attractiveness and wealth more prized than qualities like empathy, humility, and community-mindedness.

In this context, it’s crucial to recognise the impact of this pervasive narcissism and to strive for a more balanced approach to self-presentation and social interaction.

Encouraging authenticity and fostering connections based on genuine qualities can help counteract the hollow values promoted by a narcissistic culture.

References

Miller, J. D., & Campbell, W. K. (2008). “Comparing clinical and social-personality conceptualizations of narcissism.” Journal of Personality, 76(3), 449-476.

Campbell, W. K., Hoffman, B. J., Campbell, S. M., & Marchisio, G. (2011). “Narcissism in organizational contexts.” Human Resource Management Review, 21(4), 268-284

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.