Research reveals the surprising self-awareness behind narcissistic behaviour.
Narcissists do know they are narcissists and they are happy with it, research finds.
Far from being unaware of their brash, flamboyant nature, they revel in it.
They know others don’t rate them as highly as they rate themselves.
Perhaps all their boasting is their attempt to get the rest of us up to speed on how brilliant they are.
The study’s authors write:
“First, narcissists understand that others do not see them as positively as they see themselves.
Second, they understand that their reputation is more positive in a first impression context than among people who know them well.
Third, narcissists describe themselves and their reputation as narcissistic.”
For the three studies included in the research, hundreds of acquaintances were asked what they thought of each other, and of how they saw themselves.
People who scored higher or narcissistic traits rated themselves as more intelligent, likeable, attractive and funny.
They also rated themselves higher on the negative aspects of narcissism, such as being arrogant, power-oriented and impulsive.
This suggests that narcissists are aware of the effect their behaviour has on others.
They knew that other people didn’t think they were as great as they thought they were.
The study’s authors write:
“…narcissists believe that others do not see them as positively as they see themselves.
For example, from the perspective of narcissists, others fail to perceive the full magnitude of their likeability, intelligence, and attractiveness.
The discrepancy between their self-perceptions and their meta-perceptions might explain why narcissists behave in arrogant ways (e.g., brag).
Specifically, they may be seeking the recognition they believe they deserve.”
The study was published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (Carlson et al., 2011).
