Two faces of narcissism.

TLDR

The study investigates why existing self‑report narcissism scales are weakly correlated and proposes a covert–overt distinction. The authors performed a principal‑components analysis on six MMPI narcissism scales to identify two orthogonal factors. The analysis revealed two independent factors—Vulnerability‑Sensitivity and Grandiosity‑Exhibitionism—that share core narcissistic traits but differ in associated personality dimensions.

Abstract

The present study examines the lack of strong correlations among existing self-report measures of narcissism. A principal-components analysis of 6 MMPI narcissism scales resulted in 2 orthogonal factors, 1 implying Vulnerability-Sensitivity and the other Grandiosity-Exhibitionism. Although unrelated to each other, these 2 factors were associated with such core features of narcissism as conceit, self-indulgence, and disregard of others. Despite this common core, however, Vulnerability-Sensitivity was associated with introversion, defensiveness, anxiety, and vulnerability to life's traumas, whereas Grandiosity-Exhibitionism was related to extraversion, self-assurance, exhibitionism, and aggression. Three alternative interpretations of these results are considered, and an argument for the distinction between covert and overt narcissism is made.