Motamedinia, Shahab (9/14) The influence of positive experiences on the self-esteem and affect of individuals with narcissistic traits (Philip S. Wong, Ph.D.; Joan W. Duncan, Ph.D.; Marvin Hurvich, Ph.D.)
This study investigated the relationship between several subtypes of narcissism and experiences of validation. A sample of 163 college students from an urban university completed the self-report narcissism measures of the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI) and the Pathological Narcissism Inventory to assess for levels of normal, grandiose and vulnerable narcissism. An initial administration of the Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS) was given, followed by an experimental manipulation that involved a mock scored task. Participants were then given positive feedback that either expressed a theme of domination or of acceptance. This was followed by an administration of the State Self-Esteem Scale (SSSE), the Self-Esteem Implicit Associations Test (IAT) and another PANAS. A factor analysis of the narcissism measures was also conducted to evaluate subscales of narcissism that were more tailored to the ethnic diversity found in the sample. Moderation analyses revealed that higher scores on the NPI were associated with a decrease in negative affect in the domination condition. Further, the Entitlement/Exploitativeness subscale of the NPI was associated with a decrease in negative affect and state self-esteem in response to the domination feedback. High levels of a newly factored subscale of the NPI, labeled Entitlement, was associated with a decrease in negative affect after experiencing domination and a decrease in positive affect after experiencing acceptance. No significant results were found for grandiose or vulnerable narcissism, though some trends were found suggesting the importance of the experience of domination for grandiose narcissists. These results suggest the important role of domination for individuals with narcissistic traits.
