Park and Colvin are examining the differences between narcissists’ inflated perception of themselves and their other-perceptions from close friends. These close friends are unlikely to be under the influence of narcissists’ appearances. Park & Colvin, 2014. Findings from previous studies, which used different methods and recruited unrelated people to investigate the discrepancy, have shown inconsistency. Studies also show that narcissistic people tend to project a positive image of themselves on their first encounters. However, this effect fades over time and their friends become more familiar with their negative traits (Carlson & Vazire & Oltmanns (2011); Paulhus 1998). Park and Colvin tested a hypothesis that participants who score high on the Narcissistic Personity Inventory will be more well-adjusted if their scores are more in line with the prototypical aggregation. Second, narcissism is positively associated with agency but not communion.
Participants were required to complete the NPI and 100-item CAQ. CAQ ratings were given by friends to assess the personality of the participants. The variables that were key in the calculation and comparison of correlation coefficients were the participants’ average self ratings on NPI. These were subscaled into descriptions and descriptions of their personalities on CAQ. Friends’ ratings on each CAQ item. Items on CAQ designated for agency and communion were also used. The CAQ items were rated by clinicians to determine the “optimally adapted individual prototype”. The results showed that NPI scores of participants were positively related to self-rated CAQ Items that described the optimum adjustment and negatively associated with items that indicated maladjustment. However, CAQ items rated by friends were more positively associated with NPI scores than those rated by participants. These items had low adjustment ratings. On the CAQ, both agency and communion items were correlated with NPI scores. There was also a strong correlation between friends’ ratings and their own. The study’s hypothesis was supported partially by the unclear connection between narcissism, communion and self-esteem. As expected, participants gave themselves higher ratings on CAQ optimum adjustment and lower scores on maladjustment. Analyses revealed that participants were more likely to be described as themselves and better adjusted based on CAQ items measures. This shows that an individual can better predict a narcissistic personality than their own. Close friends can also have a more accurate view and judgment of our positive and/or negative traits. This research falls under the dispositional domain. It measured the participants’ scores in narcissism. We can see that self-concept plays a significant role in determining personality traits and how they interact with other people. This observation is useful for analysing approaches to self that falls under the cognitive-experiential domain of knowledge (Larsen & Buss, 2014). This research is related in that it reveals the stability and narcissism of a person over time. Participants’ friends have been rating them for a given time. We can predict the future behavior and actions of narcissistic people based on their responses to personality statements and personality items (Rogers 2015).
Based on the research findings, I would love to speak with the authors about their subjective reactions to learning of their NPI scores. Paulhus, 2014. Would it motivate someone to make a change in their self-concept and become more likeable? How can they deal with this negative aspect of themselves? Are they able to become less narcissistic with conscious effort and a strong will to make a change?
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