Narcissistic people: these are the 9 traits that define them

Narcissism is one of the most researched personality traits in the field of psychology. If it occurs at an extremely high intensity, it can lead to mental disorders, such as Narcissistic Personality DisorderBut even at low levels it has striking and sometimes conflict-provoking characteristics.

In this article we will see what are the traits that define narcissistic people and how it is possible to identify them.

• Related article: "Types of people: 13 basic personality characteristics"

1. Feeling of grandeur

Narcissistic people speak and act as if they are part of the most important elite on planet Earth. This can be seen, for example, in the way he addresses other people: he is not necessarily hostile (not usually is), but it is based on the presupposition that one has the power and the other must adapt to one.

But not all narcissists transparently express their sense of grandiosity. Some adopt a rather low and discreet profile. In these cases, the feeling of grandiosity is based on fantasizing about a future in which a power will be displayed that subdue the rest, and in cultivating resentment against those who are perceived to be highly valued by their environments social.

2. Get frustrated quickly

When something goes wrong, narcissistic people react with anger and in a quick, almost automatic way. This is so because the great self-image that they try to maintain through their actions and their interaction with the environment and with others can be deeply damaged by any mishap.

3. They aspire to leadership roles

Another characteristic of narcissistic people is that, in order for reality to fit as closely as possible with their self-image, they try to gain power and reach leadership roles. It is not that they are better leaders per se, but that try to avoid cognitive dissonance of holding a hierarchically low role and, at the same time, believing that one is more than the rest.

• Related article: "Cognitive dissonance: the theory that explains self-deception"

4. They have low self-esteem

It may seem counterintuitive, but narcissistic people have, behind the armor that is their public image, more insecurities than the rest. That is why deeply frustrated if others do not show them due respect (which, to meet your expectations, is very high).

Thus, the self-concept of these people is an all-or-nothing issue: by default, a self-image is taken for granted. idealized, but the slightest brush with reality generates a lot of discomfort and puts in check all beliefs about one same.

• Related article: "Low selfsteem? When you become your worst enemy"

5. They make up stories to avoid assuming their mistakes

Narcissistic people have serious problems accepting that they have made a mistake, and avoid showing weakness by asking for forgiveness.

That is why they project guilt on others, reaching extremes in which the failure of an action that they have carried out is seen as guilt. of another person who is not present, for example, for having bought a poor quality object or material with which it is not possible to work well.

Sometimes the frustration of not being able to come up with a minimally credible story about why Who else is to blame for what one has done can lead to increased frustration and anger.

6. They value aesthetics and appearances a lot

Narcissistic people are constantly judging others, and therefore they need an easy and simple way to do it. In practice, that means that they pay much attention to people's appearances: the clothes they wear, their style, etc. They do not have to value better those who fit better with the canons of fashion, but rather attribute more or less "character" and "personality" to those who meet certain requirements.

7. They control their image a lot on social networks

They are very scrupulous people when it comes to filtering the image they give on social networks like Facebook. In addition to tending to have many "friends" added (since having many gives an image of popularity, know them or not), show only those personal photographs that have undergone a process of selection. Sometimes, they use image editing programs to retouch these photos trying not to notice it.

8. They take it all personally

Narcissistic people believe that everything that happens is part of a popularity contest. Unfortunately, that means that many times they are outdone by someone, even if that someone does not even intend to please others. In these cases, the narcissist feels attacked and can adopt attack strategies against the other, not always facing him directly.

9. They do not conceive the concept of "constructive criticism"

For narcissistic people it is unacceptable for someone to focus attention on their mistakes and weaknesses. Therefore, the idea that these criticisms can serve to improve in the future does not make sense.