Narcissists Tend to Mellow with Age, Study Finds

Narcissism and Aging: Key Findings

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A recent study suggests that narcissistic individuals may become more empathetic, generous, and agreeable as they age. However, their inflated sense of self-importance doesn’t completely disappear. The research, which involved over 37,000 people, indicates that those who displayed higher levels of narcissism as children generally maintained these traits into adulthood.

Understanding Narcissism

Narcissism is often used as an insult for people perceived as difficult or disagreeable. However, doctors define it as a diagnosable personality disorder. People with narcissism believe they are superior and more deserving than others, which can be seen as arrogance and selfishness.

Types of Narcissistic Behavior

The study, published in Psychological Bulletin, analyzed data from 51 previous studies involving participants aged 8 to 77. Researchers identified three types of narcissists:

1. Agentic Narcissists: Feel superior and crave admiration.
2. Antagonistic Narcissists: View others as rivals, exploit them, and lack empathy.
3. Neurotic Narcissists: Are insecure, overly sensitive to criticism, and prone to shame.

Changes Over Time

Researchers found that narcissism scores generally declined with age, though the changes were minor and gradual. Lead researcher Dr. Ulrich Orth from the University of Bern in Switzerland explained that while some individuals might change significantly, most remain recognizably narcissistic over time.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Narcissism

Some narcissistic traits can be beneficial in the short term, such as boosting popularity, dating success, and job prospects. However, in the long run, narcissism tends to cause conflict and negatively impacts the well-being of others, including partners, children, friends, and coworkers.

Expert Opinions

Dr. Sarah Davies, a chartered counseling psychologist, emphasizes that occasional arrogance or selfishness should not be confused with clinical narcissism. True narcissists are envious, jealous, exploitative, and manipulative, lacking remorse or responsibility.

Dr. Davies notes that while increased awareness of narcissism is beneficial, the clinical meaning can sometimes get lost. She advises being specific about behaviors instead of labeling someone a narcissist based on one or two actions.

Signs of a Narcissist

Dr. Davies identifies several signs of narcissistic behavior:

• Constant Drama: Narcissists create chaos and conflict to feel needed.
• No Genuine Apologies: They don’t take responsibility for their actions.
• Blame Game: They manipulate others for personal gain.

Dr. Tennyson Lee, a consultant psychiatrist with the Deancross Personality Disorder Service, affirms that while narcissism tends to reduce with age, the decrease is not substantial. This means those living with narcissists should not expect dramatic improvements over time.

Conclusion

The study provides valuable insights into how narcissism evolves with age. While there is a tendency for narcissistic traits to mellow, significant changes are rare, and the negative impacts of narcissistic behavior persist.

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Sources:

• Psychological Bulletin
• BBC News