How Need for Power Explains Why Narcissists Are Antisocial

To date, no research has examined need for power as a reason why narcissists engage in antisocial behavior. The purpose of the current research is to examine need for power as a potential mediating factor between narcissism and antisocial behavior. The current research was conducted in two studies. Participants (n = 408) of study one consisted of undergraduate students who completed an online survey focusing on narcissism, need for power, and aggression. The results of Study 1 found that Need for Power fully mediated the association between narcissism and aggression. Participants (n = 323) of study two consisted of adults who completed an online survey through Mechanical Turk. Study 2 focused on seven types of narcissism, four types of need for power, need for influence, and lifetime criminal behavior. The results of Study 2 found that most forms of narcissism positively associated with criminal behavior but only the desire to resist subordination mediated the link between narcissism and criminal behavior.