Narcissistic Personality

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When one speaks of narcissism, often the image of a self-absorbed and self-aggrandizing, but overly sensitive person comes to mind. Some features of a narcissistic personality may make it seem like having confidence, however, it crosses the border from healthy confidence to putting yourself on a pedestal. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) people who suffer from the pathological form of narcissism, Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD), possess an exaggerated sense of importance, believe they are superior or special, expect special treatment, and/or set goals based on obtaining approval from others. The criteria for NPD includes a sense of entitlement, lack of empathy, and a need for personal gain …show more content…

Therefore, when the partner provides negative feedback, an individual with narcissistic characteristics becomes upset or angry. They feel that they do not get what they deserve, which stems from their sense of entitlement. Especially individuals with vulnerable narcissistic traits react to this sort of provocation with reactive and displaced aggression (Krizan & Johar, 2015). Vulnerable narcissism is the more covert, introvert, feeling entitled, exploitative, self-absorbed, and aggressive form of narcissism. The more known form of narcissism is grandiose narcissism. This is the more overt, extravert, exhibitionist, high self-esteem, feeling entitled and hostile form of narcissism. It was only until recently that research started to divide narcissism in these two forms of narcissism (Lamkin, Campbell, van Dellen & Miller, 2015, Pincus & Lukowitsky, 2010). It has led to interesting discoveries, such as a gender difference (in the traditional binary form) in what kind of narcissism is shown the most in individuals. For overall narcissism, men show higher

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