My ex-boyfriend is a narcissistyou often hear women say. But are all narcissists men? Nope, women manipulate just as well. They might even be a little better at it.
Characteristics of narcissism in men and women
This was investigated by means of a large overview study in the scientific journal Psychological Bulletin in 2015. First, the researchers examined existing literature: 360 studies that tested the characteristics of narcissism on a total of 475,495 participants.
It showed that men generally have more narcissistic personality traits than women. The gender difference was mainly in characteristics such as exploiting others and exercising control. Women met these criteria for narcissism less often than men.
But women can be overly happy with themselves, the researchers saw. It seems that narcissism manifests itself differently in them: as vulnerable narcissism.
Narcissism and personality
The difference in narcissism between men and women is in line with other known differences in personality between the genders, as the American psychiatrist Janet Hyde described in 2014 in the Annual Review of Psychology. Men tend to have a greater sense of authority and leadership. More research is needed to understand what causes narcissism and how gender stereotypes influence the development of narcissistic traits.
Different types of narcissists
Vulnerable narcissism is not described in the DSM-5, the book of criteria for mental disorders, but observational research has shown that such a thing probably exists.
Like the famous charismatic narcissist, vulnerable narcissists believe they are “special” and fantasize about their greatness. They also lack empathy.
Yet there is a difference: vulnerable narcissists are shy and introverted. They are less likely to show their narcissistic traits to the outside world. In addition, they are overly aware and hypersensitive to the reactions of others. They quickly feel hurt when criticized or rejected. That is why they regularly avoid situations in which their self-esteem could be affected.
The aforementioned research shows that women scored just as high as men in this hidden type of narcissism. Maybe that explains why they’re better off keeping their fantasies of grandeur under the radar.
Also interesting: What is it like to have narcissism yourself? Hint: narcissists also suffer from their own disorder. Do you recognize yourself in this story? Test how narcissistic you are.
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Ah, narcissism! The age-old enchantment that has captured the hearts and minds of many, turning relationships into theatrical productions of ego and drama. “My ex-boyfriend is a narcissist!” you hear women proclaim. But let’s not kid ourselves; narcissism isn’t just a boys’ club. No, no! Women can wield manipulation with the deftness of an artist on a caffeine high. In fact, they may even have a slight edge, lurking behind that charming smile. Have your masks ready, folks; it’s about to get interesting!
Characteristics of Narcissism in Men and Women
So, what does science have to say about our beloved narcissists? Researchers from the prestigious Psychological Bulletin conducted a massive overview study in 2015, bravely sifting through the dust of 360 studies and nearly 475,495 participants. That’s right—almost half a million folks! Not exactly a small sample group to say, “Hey, maybe men show more narcissistic traits than women.”
The findings? Men generally strutted around with more narcissistic traits than women. Especially when it came to exploiting others and exercising control. Gentlemen, your crown remains intact, for now. But wait! Our lovely ladies weren’t just twiddling their thumbs. They displayed a different flavor of narcissism—vulnerable narcissism. You know, the kind that sneaks up on you like a cat ready to pounce on an unsuspecting laser pointer. Sly, yet full of flair!
Narcissism may not only stem from a desire for praise but also from vulnerability—a revelation that leaves us all scratching our heads. Apparently, women can shine when it comes to self-assurance. Yet, in other narcissistic criteria, they find themselves falling short. That concludes our science experiment; let’s take a moment to ponder how much time researchers must spend with arrogant humans to get these results. Imagine what they could have unearthed if they studied social media instead!
Different Types of Narcissists
Now, let’s talk about the elusive “vulnerable narcissist.” Surprisingly, they don’t make it to the DSM-5, the holy book for diagnosing mental disorders. But observational research suggests they exist, much like unicorns—difficult to spot yet rumored to be around. Vulnerable narcissists believe they are “special” (sorry, Hallmark, this one’s taken) and they too lack empathy. Classic narcissist behavior, but wait! There’s a twist.
Vulnerable narcissists are often shy and introverted, like a cat during a thunderstorm. They have all the pizazz of grandiose narcissists, but they keep it tucked away in a personal diary under lock and key while they silently hyperventilate over their perceived slights. Talk about living in your head rent-free!
Self-esteem fluctuations are their favorite rollercoaster ride. They’d rather avoid situations where their brilliance might be dimmed. Meanwhile, traditional narcissists strut with their chests puffed out like peacocks, basking in the glory of their own image.
Guess what? Research has shown that women scored just as high as men in this hidden narcissism, bringing a whole new meaning to “keeping up appearances.” Maybe they’re just better at hiding their fantasies of grandeur—much like a magician performing sleight of hand. Bravo!
So, what’s the takeaway? Whether it’s grandiosity or vulnerability, narcissism shapes our relationships in a million ways. And if you suspect you’ve got a touch of the narcissist in you, fear not; even they suffer from their own disorder. Why not have a little fun and test how narcissistic you are? It might just give you a moment of clarity or another reason to wear those rose-colored glasses.
Grandiose fantasy example
F a charismatic narcissist, yet they keep their grandiose fantasies largely concealed. Instead of flaunting their perceived superiority, they are keenly sensitive to how others perceive them, often feeling hurt when criticized or rejected. Because of this, they may avoid situations where their self-esteem could take a hit, making them less visible in social scenarios.
Research indicates that both men and women can exhibit these vulnerable narcissistic traits. Interestingly, the studies reveal that women can sometimes score equally high as men on this hidden spectrum of narcissism, potentially explaining why they maintain a lower profile regarding such tendencies.
In sum, while men might dominate in openly exhibiting classic narcissistic traits — such as grandiosity and entitlement — women are equally capable of harboring these traits, albeit in a more subdued, introspective manner, often marked by vulnerability and hypersensitivity.
So next time you encounter a self-proclaimed narcissist, remember: there’s often more than meets the eye, and both genders bring their unique brand of narcissism to the table.
