Question 1

What is the link between narcissism and aggressive behavior?

Brad Bushman · Accepted Answer

Based on our recent comprehensive of all studies on the topic (437 studies involving over 123,000 participants), we found a significant positive relationship between narcissism and aggression. Specifically, narcissism increased the risk of aggression by 21%. Our review found that individuals high in narcissism are especially aggressive when they are provoked but are even aggressive when they are not provoked. Individuals high in narcissism showed higher levels of all forms of aggression that researchers studied — physical aggression, verbal aggression, spreading gossip, bullying others online and offline, and even displacing aggression against innocent bystanders. They aggressed in both a hotheaded and coldblooded manner. Narcissism was related to aggression in males and females of all ages from both Western and Eastern countries.

To purchase the article: https://doi.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Fbul0000323

Question 2

Are aggressive people more likely to be narcissists?

Brad Bushman · Accepted Answer

Yes, aggressive people are more likely to be narcissistic. It is a myth that aggressive people have low levels of self-esteem. Aggressive people tend to be narcissistic. 
 
In addition, overwhelming evidence suggests that narcissism is a continuous variable rather than a dichotomous variable. Even Narcissistic Personality Disorder is a continuous variable. Calling someone a “narcissist” implies that narcissism is a dichotomous variable, which it is not. All people have some level of narcissism, which ranges from very low to very high.

Question 3

What specifically about narcissism makes someone more prone to violent outbursts?

Brad Bushman · Accepted Answer

Individuals with high levels of narcissism have several characteristics that predispose them to behave in an aggressive manner. Some aspects of narcissism are directly related to aggression, such as being disagreeable and lacking empathy for others. How people view themselves can also influence how they treat others. People with high levels of narcissism view themselves as superior beings and view others as inferior beings. It is easier to aggress against others if one considers them to be inferior beings.

Question 4

Do you have any tips for de-escalating aggressive behavior when dealing with an individual high in narcissistic traits?

Brad Bushman · Accepted Answer

Probably the worst thing one can do is criticize someone who is narcissistic. Individuals high in narcissism are especially aggressive when they are provoked, humiliated, shamed, or criticized. They have very thin skins.

Our research shows one strategy is to increase the amount of overlap one has with the narcissistic individual. In one study, we found that narcissistic people were less aggressive to someone who criticized them if that person had the same birthday. In another study, we found that narcissistic people were less aggressive to someone who criticized them if that person had the same type of fingerprints, especially if it was a rare type of fingerprint.

To purchase this article: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1111/j.1467-9280.2006.01818.x

Question 5

Is there a relationship between narcissism and physical violence?

Brad Bushman · Accepted Answer

Yes, there is a relationship between narcissism and violence (i.e., aggressive behavior intended to cause physical harm, such as injury or death). In our recent comprehensive of 65 studies on the topic, we found a significant positive relationship between narcissism and violence. Specifically, narcissism increased the risk of violence by 18%.

To purchase article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/bul0000323

Question 6

Can narcissists learn to regulate their emotions?

Brad Bushman · Accepted Answer

Individuals high in narcissism have more difficulty regulating angry feelings than others do. In addition, they lack empathy for others, whom they consider to be inferior beings.

Question 7

Are people high in aggression due to their inner dialogue being more negative than others? Is it to project their unhappiness onto others? Do they (consciously/subconsciously) think if they act upon their negative inner dialogue that it’ll rid them of it?

Brad Bushman · Accepted Answer

That is a very good question. The origins of narcissism are not entirely clear. I am not aware of any research on the topic you mention. However, we conducted a longitudinal study that found narcissism can develop when parents overvalue their children (i.e., think their children are superior to other children).

Question 8

How can we help clients who have separated from abusive narcissistic partners but are still fighting a court case over custody with worry about future aggression of the partner towards the child? As we know such personalities can actually be aggressive.

Brad Bushman · Accepted Answer

That is a very difficult situation. My colleague Professor Keith Campbell (University of Georgia, USA), has done research showing that narcissistic people are very bad relationship partners. However, I cannot give advice on this topic. I am not a clinical psychologist. I would contact a professional organization such as the American Psychological Association for advice.

Question 9

What form of therapy would you recommend for a child showing narcissistic traits?

Brad Bushman · Accepted Answer

One thing that might help is for the child to gain more empathy for others. Narcissistic people lack empathy for others. However, I am not a clinical psychologist. I would contact a professional organization such as the American Psychological Association for advice.

The Aggressive Narcissist

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