Three faces of Narcissism

Narcissism is increasingly recognised as a heterogeneous construct, with two dimensions of narcissistic dysfunction commonly accepted, Grandiose Narcissism and Vulnerable Narcissism. The current study aimed to provide empirical support for the heterogeneity of Narcissism. Along with the Pathological Narcissism Inventory (PNI) and the Narcissism subscale of the Narcissism–Aloofness–Confidence–Empathy (NACE), questionnaires assessing personality traits, psychopathologies, and behavioural characteristics were administered to Australian university students. In addition to confirming the two dimensions of Narcissism through factor and correlational analyses, a possible third dimension of Narcissism emerged which was markedly aggressive and antisocial. The current study highlights the phenomenological breadth of Narcissism and the need for an improved understanding of Narcissism, particularly given the imminent publication of DSM-5.

► Two dimensions of Narcissism are increasingly recognised. ► Factor and correlational analyses were used to examine the structure of Narcissism. ► Grandiose Narcissism and Vulnerable Narcissism were empirically supported. ► A third possible dimension of Narcissism also emerged, Psychopathic Narcissism.