How narcissists are unmasked with a question

US researchers ask: „Are you a narcissist?“

08/06/2014

A narcissist is considered a self-loving, valid and vain personality. This was exploited by US researchers from Ohio State University, Indiana University and Gettysburg College and developed a rapid test. Narcissists can therefore be unmasked with just one question.

„Are you a narcissist?“ - „Yes, sure!“
To find out if someone is a narcissistic person requires only one question. This report US researchers in the journal „Plos One“. The psychologists found in the study of 2,200 volunteers that more complex psychological procedures are not necessarily necessary to expose a narcissist. For because of his personality, which is characterized by self-love, little empathy, his high need for appreciation and vanity, the narcissist has no difficulty with it, the question with a self-confident „Yes!“ to answer. „Narcissists are not afraid to tell you that they are narcissists“, explains Brad Bushman from Ohio State University in Columbus „Newsweek“. The scientist has been researching narcissistic personality structures for decades.

One question seems just as reliable on narcissists as detailed psychological interviews
In a total of eleven experiments, the researchers tested to what extent narcissists actually identify with the answer to just one question. This question is: „How much do you agree with the statement, 'I am a narcissist'? Respondents answered very reliably, the researchers write in the journal. The self-assessment corresponds to the results of previously used psychological questionnaires for the evaluation of narcissists, which are far more extensive and time-consuming. However, the rapid test should not replace conventional methods. Rather, he could be an alternative if study participants in the context of lengthy surveys would have to go through many questions, the researchers said.

The narcissist considers himself great and will find it difficult to change himself and his behavior
As Sara Konrath of Indiana University, Ann Arbor, is quoted in a statement to the study, it is not only important for the person concerned to learn about his narcissistic personality. „Narcissistic personalities, for example, have little empathy - and empathy is one of the main motivators for philanthropic behavior, such as donating money or time to organizations. "

Bushman points opposite „Newsweek“ to the main problem of narcissists with regard to their negative properties: „If narcissists think they are great, they will not try to improve.“ (Ag)