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Related Experiment Videos

Narcissism and object relations.

T Little1, P J Watson, M D Biderman

  • 1Psychology Department, University of Tennessee, Chattanooga 37403.

Psychological Reports
|December 1, 1992
PubMed
Summary
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Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI) measures predict self-functioning. Findings support aspects of Heinz Kohut's self-psychology, linking narcissism to self-grandiosity and interpersonal difficulties, but not a bidimensional self-structure.

Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Psychoanalytic Psychology
  • Personality Psychology

Background:

  • Questionnaire measures of narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) can predict self-functioning.
  • Heinz Kohut's psychoanalytic theory of the self offers a framework for understanding self-structure.
  • The relationship between narcissistic traits and Kohut's self-psychology requires empirical investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To test whether questionnaire measures of narcissistic personality disorder predict healthy and unhealthy self-functioning.
  • To examine the association between narcissistic traits and Kohut's concept of the bipolar self.
  • To investigate the validity of Kohut's hypotheses regarding self-grandiosity and narcissism.

Main Methods:

  • A sample of 354 undergraduates completed the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI).

Related Experiment Videos

  • Canonical correlations were used to analyze the associations between NPI factors and dimensions of Kohut's bipolar self.
  • Zero-order and partial correlational analyses were conducted to examine specific hypotheses.

    • Main Results:

    • NPI factors were more strongly associated with grandiose than idealizing immaturities in Kohut's bipolar self.
    • Difficulties in interpersonal relationships (poor object relations) were more strongly associated with idealizing deficits.
    • Correlational data supported Kohut's hypothesis that self-grandiosity encompasses both pathology and relative mental health.

    Conclusions:

    • Narcissistic personality traits are linked to specific aspects of self-functioning as conceptualized by Kohut.
    • The findings provide partial support for Kohut's self-psychology, particularly concerning self-grandiosity.
    • Canonical correlations did not support Kohut's claim of a bidimensional self-structure in narcissism.