A new study by researchers at San Diego State University and the
University of Georgia reveals that people with narcissistic personalities
who experience social rejection are more aggressive than those who
are not so self-absorbed, a finding that may help explain why some
teens resort to violence while others do not.
“
This research is especially compelling because we’re able to
see behavioral patterns in children that lead to aggression and ultimately
violence,” said Jean Twenge, a psychology professor at SDSU
who co-authored the study with Georgia psychology professor W. Keith
Campbell. “In our previous studies, we were able to help explain
why school shootings occur by linking aggression to social rejection.
Now we see that narcissism, or ‘egotism,’ helps explain
which kids become violent after rejection and which ones do not.”
“
Isn’t it Fun to Get the Respect That We’re Going to Deserve?” Narcissism,
Social Rejection, and Aggression will be published in the February
issue of Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin.
The professors conducted four studies using undergraduate
participants, most of whom were 18 or 19 years old. Participants
in each study
first completed the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI),
the standard
measure of narcissism in psychology. Then the participants experienced
either social rejection or social acceptance and had the opportunity
to express their anger and aggression.
For example, one study asked participants to choose
individuals they would like to work with and those they would like
to exclude.
Participants
then played a computer game that allowed them to aggress against
an innocent opponent by blasting him or her with a painful
burst of white
noise.
Across all the studies, narcissists exhibited more
anger and displayed more aggression after being rejected than non-narcissists
did.
"
When we as educators make efforts to ensure that our students maintain
positive self-images, we need to be careful that we don't create an
army of little narcissists," said Campbell.
The study also notes that statements attributed to
the Columbine High School shooters are consistent with the
feelings of
narcissistic individuals.
For example, on videotapes made before the shooting,
Dylan Klebold said, “Directors will be fighting over this story,” and
Eric Harris said, “Isn’t it fun to get the respect that
we’re going to deserve?”
“
One way to prevent violence is by reducing instances of social
rejection,” said
Twenge. “We can also prevent violence by reducing
feelings of narcissism. For example, schools should
carefully examine any programs
that are intended to increase students’ self-esteem.
Many of these programs cross the line into encouraging
narcissism and egoism.
These programs could backfire by increasing aggression
among students, because narcissistic students are
more aggressive.”
Writers please note: For a copy of “Isn’t it Fun to Get
the Respect That We’re Going to Deserve?,” contact 619-594-4298
or email jzwiebel@mail.sdsu.edu.
