Robert Horton (2011) wrote about
sources of child narcissism and asks a question, “Are parents to blame?”
There is little doubt that
narcissism has been a hot topic in psychology and the popular press. People are
quick to identify unpopular leaders as narcissists. Indeed, when several narcissistic
traits are present, life can be tough for narcissists and those who live or
work with them.
Narcissism is a personality trait,
which describes a pattern of behavior focused on bolstering feelings of
self-worth. High levels of narcissism are recognized by belief statements of superiority
and entitlement to special treatment. Anger is a common emotional state in
response to challenges to grandiose self-beliefs. Observers see narcissistic behavior
patterns such as “showing off” and seeking attention.
The focus of concern with
narcissism is when high levels of the trait interfere with the person’s interpersonal
and intrapersonal functioning. Common concerns include the narcissist's limited concern for
others’ feelings, low interest in others’ concerns and welfare, and excessive
manipulation of others for personal gain.
It is important to recognize
extremes because average people can show narcissistic behavior patterns under stressful
conditions. For example, it is hard to be concerned for others when ill or
under a threat. Also, all human beings manipulate others to a certain degree.
That is, when humans interact, we influence each other. Most of us naturally act
out of self-interest even when we are not fully aware of our actions. But this
natural self-interest is not like the extreme seen in narcissists.
Not all aspects of narcissism are
maladaptive. For example, some level of high self-esteem can be helpful, especially
compared to low self-esteem, which is linked to depression, anxiety, and loneliness.
Genetic studies find a heritability
ratio of about .50 to .60 for narcissism. It appears that some 40% of the
features of narcissism are linked to environmental factors. Scores on a test of
narcissism (NPI: Narcissistic Personality Inventory) have increased among
college students in the past three decades.
There are different theories
predicting the role of parenting in the development of child narcissism. Some
research is available. According to Horton, several studies have found significant
associations between parental indulgence and the adaptive and maladaptive subtraits
of narcissism.
Here are just a few of the research
findings cited by Horton (2011):
- Permissive parenting links to maladaptive narcissism.
- Parental overvaluation of their children was linked to adaptive and maladaptive narcissism.
- Parental warmth links to both adaptive and maladaptive narcissism.
- Psychological control of children is linked to maladaptive narcissism.
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CAUTION
Horton’s catchy question about
blame and parents cannot be answered.
Despite some links between the
components of parenting styles and narcissism, we cannot make bold claims about
the relationship between parents and the development of child narcissism until more rigorous
studies are conducted.
Fortunately, Horton, drawing on
Pinker (2002), describes what needs to be done. For example, studies need to be
done on twins reared by the same and different parents. We need studies that
follow parents and their children through childhood. We also need to study the
important direction of any link between parenting and a child’s narcissistic
behavior. For example: Do parents change their parenting style to adapt to the
behavior of a child?
Links
Narcissism is one of the three personality
traits in the Toxic
or Dark Triad: Narcissism, Machiavellianism, and Psychopathology measured
on The
Dirty Dozen Scale.
References
Read Horton’s 2011 summary for more
details.
Horton,
R. S. (2011). On environmental sources of child narcissism: Are parents really
to blame? In C. T. Barry, P. K. Kerig, K. K. Stellwagen, & T. D. Barry
(Eds.), Narcissism and Machiavellianism in youth: Implications for the
development of adaptive and maladaptive behavior. (pp. 125–143).
Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
https://doi.org/10.1037/12352-007
Pinker,
S. (2002). The blank slate: The modern
denial of human nature. New York, NY: Penguin Books.
