I'll get there because I'm great, or am I? Narcissistic vulnerability moderates the narcissistic grandiosity – goal persistence relationship. (1st January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Manley, Harry; Roberts, Ross; Beattie, Stuart; Woodman, Tim
• Is Part Of: Personality and individual differences. Volume 120(2017)
• Page Start: 65
• Page End: 74
• Publication Date: 2018-01-01
• Subjects: Narcissism -- Grandiose -- Vulnerable -- Persistence; Personality -- Periodicals; Individuality -- Periodicals; Individuality -- Periodicals; Personality Development -- Periodicals; Personnalité -- Périodiques; Individualité -- Périodiques; 155.205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2017.08.024
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0191-8869

Abstract

Abstract: Across three studies, we examined the moderating effect of narcissistic vulnerability on the relationship between narcissistic grandiosity and persistence. In Study 1 ( n = 338), narcissistic grandiosity predicted greater goal-drive persistence, but only when individuals also possessed a degree of narcissistic vulnerability. In Study 2 ( n = 199), we replicated these effects and demonstrated that they were independent of socially desirable responding. In Study 3 ( n = 372), narcissistic vulnerability moderated the grandiosity – persistence relationship to predict persistence for personally relevant goals and hypothetical goals. Notably, the moderating effect of vulnerability was independent of the effects of self-esteem. These results provide the first evidence that narcissistic grandiosity predicts persistence only in the presence of self-doubt regarding superiority. The results demonstrate the importance of considering the interplay between the two components of narcissism. Highlights: Narcissistic vulnerability moderates the effect of grandiosity on goal-drive persistence. In the absence of vulnerability, grandiosity is unrelated to goal-drive persistence. The moderating effect of narcissistic vulnerability was independent of self-esteem and socially desirable responding.