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Narcissistic personality features and self-reported anger.
Psychological Reports
|February 1, 1989
Summary
Individuals high in narcissism reported more verbal anger. Narcissistic males were also more prone to physical anger expression, according to this psychology study.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Personality Psychology
Background:
- Narcissistic personality disorder is characterized by grandiosity, entitlement, and a lack of empathy.
- Anger and aggression are frequently observed in clinical populations, including those with personality disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between narcissistic personality traits and anger expression.
- To differentiate patterns of anger expression based on levels of narcissism and gender.
Main Methods:
- A sample of 91 undergraduate students from introductory psychology courses participated.
- Participants completed measures assessing narcissistic personality characteristics and anger expression styles (verbal and physical).
Main Results:
- Individuals scoring high on narcissism reported significantly greater verbally expressed anger.
- A notable gender difference emerged: males high in narcissism were more likely to exhibit physically expressed anger.
Conclusions:
- Narcissistic personality traits are linked to distinct patterns of anger expression.
- Understanding these associations is crucial for clinical assessment and treatment, particularly concerning diagnostic criteria for narcissistic personality disorder.