11 Jul Grandiose Versus Vulnerable Narcissism: Considerations of Underlying Extroversion and Introversion Traits
Narcissism or Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is a personality disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). NPD is characterized by a lack of empathy for others, a strong need for admiration, and a pervasive pattern of grandiosity. In 1991, a social researcher published a study in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology that further defined this personality disorder into two main subtypes: grandiose narcissism and vulnerable narcissism.
Grandiose narcissism is characterized by high self–esteem, dominance in interpersonal relationships, and a tendency to overestimate one’s capabilities. Individuals with this disorder will carry themselves with a sense of superiority and personal entitlement and frequently respond with aggression and hostility when challenged. It is common for them to exploit others for personal gain within personal relationships or business dealings.
Conversely, vulnerable narcissists are defensive, avoidant, and hypersensitive in interpersonal relations. With vulnerable narcissism, the individual will be more introverted, sensitive to criticism, and possess a fragile sense of self-esteem. Vulnerable narcissists hide their true nature behind façades of self-doubt and self-consciousness and may appear more avoidant. With this form of narcissism, individuals may avoid situations where they fear looking worse than others or risk seeming incompetent. They tend to blame others for their problems and may be more prone to anxiety and depression.
Whether grandiose or vulnerable, narcissism is marked by an egocentric tendency. Grandiose narcissism possesses an exaggerated sense of self-importance and an excessive need for admiration, while vulnerable narcissists react with a deep-seated fear of rejection and an ongoing need for validation and reassurance. Both forms of narcissism are rooted in self-absorption.
In 2017, researchers examined the relationship between grandiose and vulnerable narcissism to define the common core between the two types more definitively. As reported in Frontiers in Psychology, the researchers looked to control factors of extraversion and introversion and to examine similarities between the subtypes at higher levels of narcissism to identify a common core. While narcissistic grandiosity is characterized by overt superiority and entitlement and narcissistic vulnerability reflects introversive self-absorbedness, previous clinical evidence suggests that vulnerable aspects accompany grandiosity. The underlying vulnerability suggests a common foundation, challenging the belief that grandiose narcissism correlates substantially with extraversion while vulnerable narcissism correlates highly with introversion. The researchers confirmed their hypothesis that introversion and extraversion traits conceal the common core of grandiose and vulnerable narcissism. In addition, the researchers also identified the correlation between grandiose and vulnerable narcissism increases toward the upper end of the narcissism continuum.
The research concluded that grandiose and vulnerable subtypes of narcissism are not distinct traits. Instead, these traits are different manifestations of the same personality disorder. An individual’s tendency toward introversion or extroversion directly influences whether the person portrays grandiose or vulnerable narcissist traits.
Vulnerable narcissism is an internalizing trait characterized by high levels of hypersensitivity with low levels of extraversion and paranoia of being criticized and rejected. On the other hand, grandiose narcissism is less sensitive to emotions than its vulnerable counterpart, characterized by high self-esteem, manipulative tendencies, a high degree of exhibitionism, and self-centeredness.
Understanding the differences between grandiose versus vulnerable traits in the continuum of Narcissist Personality Disorder can help mental health professionals accurately assess, diagnose, and plan for individuals seeking treatment for NPD. More substantial treatment outcomes can be realized by directing treatment interventions toward the internalizing or externalizing nature of a patient’s NPD features.