Grandiose narcissism

People with narcissistic personality disorder are often envious of other people or believe that others are envious of them.

According to Arlin Cuncic, MA, "Grandiose narcissism is a pattern characterized by exaggerated feelings of superiority, entitlement, self-importance, an obsessive need for admiration, and a lack of empathy toward others. Grandiose narcissism is also known as "overt narcissism"."

In 2023, the PsyPost website noted:

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Grandiose narcissism is a personality trait associated with individuals who have an inflated sense of self-importance, a strong need for admiration, and a tendency to exaggerate their own abilities and achievements. People with grandiose narcissism often exhibit a sense of entitlement, a desire for power and control, and a lack of empathy towards others. This trait can be divided into two components: narcissistic admiration and narcissistic rivalry. Narcissistic admiration involves an excessive self-centered desire to be admired by others. It encompasses a deep yearning for constant praise, recognition, and validation of one’s perceived superiority and uniqueness. It is often driven by an inflated sense of self-importance and the need for external validation. On the other hand, narcissistic rivalry entails a need to devalue others, a desire to witness their failures, and aggression towards them.

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Causes of grandiose narcissism

Overvaluation by overly indulgent and pampering parents (telling a child they are exceptional regardless of behavior) is strongly associated with grandiose narcissism, but neglectful/cold parenting in early childhood can also contribute to the development of grandiose narcissism. Some research associates more individualistic cultures with grandiose narcissism.

Journal articles and academic research

• A computational framework to study the etiology of grandiose narcissism, Scientific Reports, February 202515(1). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-90109-w (Abstract)
• Grandiose narcissists and decision making: Impulsive, overconfident, and skeptical of experts–but seldom in doubt, Personality and Individual Differences. 2020 Aug 14;168:110280. doi: 10.1016/j.paid.2020.110280
• Conceptualizing grandiose and vulnerable narcissism as alternative status-seeking strategies: Insights from hierometer theory, Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 14 June 2024 https://doi.org/10.1111/spc3.12977
• Justifications of entitlement in grandiose and vulnerable narcissism: The roles of injustice and superiority, Personality and Individual Differences. Volume 168, 1 January 2021, 110345
• The Wax and Wane of Narcissism: Grandiose Narcissism as a Process or State, Journal of Personality, 11 November 2014 https://doi.org/10.1111/jopy.12148
• The role of grandiose and vulnerable narcissism in self-reported and laboratory aggression and testosterone reactivity, Personality and Individual Differences. Volume 69, October 2014, Pages 22-27
• Fluctuations in grandiose and vulnerable narcissistic states: A momentary perspective: A momentary perspective by Elizabeth Edershile, (2019). Master's Thesis, University of Pittsburgh.

See also

• Narcissistic personality disorder
• Narcissistic supply
• Narcissistic collapse
• Narcissism
• Superiority complex
• Hubris
• Dunning-Kruger effect

External links

• The Signs of Grandiose Narcissism and How to Deal With It by Arlin Cuncic, MA
• What Causes Narcissistic Personality Disorder?, PsychCentral.com

Videos:

• Grandiose narcissism - video playlist, Video playlist