The New Science of Narcissism: Understanding One of the Greatest Psychological Challenges of Our Time—and What You Can Do About It

by W Keith Campbell, Carolyn Crist (Contributor)

Cut Through the Noise Around Narcissism with the Leading Researcher in the Field
 
“Narcissism” is truly one of the most important words of our time—ceaselessly discussed in the media, the subject of millions of online search queries, and at the center of serious social and political debates. But what does it really mean?
 
In The New Science of Narcissism, Dr. W. Keith Campbell pulls back the curtain on this frequently misused label, presenting the most recent psychological, personality, and social research into the phenomenon.
 
Rather than pathologizing all behaviors associated with the label, Campbell reveals that not only does narcissism occur on a spectrum, but almost everyone exhibits narcissistic tendencies in their day-to-day behavior. Drawing from real-life incidents and case studies, The New Science of Narcissism offers tools, tips, and suggestions for softening toxically selfish behaviors both in yourself and others. Here you will discover: An exploration of personality disorders connected with and adjacent to narcissism Why minor narcissistic tendencies are common in most people The foundational difference between grandiose and vulnerable narcissism Different psychological models of personality and how they interpret narcissistic behaviors The “recipe” of mental and emotional traits that combine into narcissism How to identify when you’re in a relationship with a narcissist and what you can do about it Why the 21st century has seen the rise of a “Great Fantasy Migration” into evermore insular subcultures The connection between narcissistic tendencies and leadership Why “the audience in your pocket” of social media has exacerbated culture-wide narcissistic tendencies Though narcissism looms large in our cultural consciousness, The New Science of Narcissism offers many different options for understanding and treating it. With Campbell’s straightforward and grounded guidance, you’ll not only discover the latest and best information on the condition, but also a hopeful view of its future.
 

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Mental Health, Relationships, Science, Self Help

304 pages, ebook

First published September 22, 2020

Reviews

[Jaidee · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 "interesting, helpful, broad" stars !!!

A ribbon of Excellence read for 2023

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and Sounds True publishing for an ecopy. This was released September 2020. I am providing an honest review.

Narcissism is one of those overused words that is often used partially incorrectly and often as shorthand. Take the following example:

We might say the following "he/she/they are a complete narcissist" but what we are saying is:

He is an insensitive asshole.
She is such an attention whore.
They are unbearably self centered and insufferable.

So I am going to start with what this is NOT to give readers a better understanding as to what to expect:
-not a deep academic book on narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD)
-not a clinical manual in treating general narcissism or NPD
-not a self help book for those who would like to deal with their own narcissism or NPD
-not a self help book for those who have been hurt/abused/damaged by a narcissist

What this book does however is both extremely interesting and important. This is written by an academic who has spent all his working life studying both narcissism and NPD. He covers such a huge swath of this topic in a most excellent, compelling and helpful fashion. He covers the following and so much more

-covers narcissism as a cultural/social/psychological/personality construct
-effectively gets across that narcissism is a spectrum and that most of us have a degree of
-when narcissism is effective and helpful
-when narcissism becomes problematic
-the social factors that have contributed to an increase in narcissism in our western world
-when narcissism becomes a personality disorder (NPD)
-differing subtypes of NPD -malignant, grandiose, vulnerable, mixed and communal
-how narcissists present in workplaces, families and the world at large
-narcissists in positions of power and influence (unfortunately way too many)
-general strategies to deal with narcissism in others and for those with insight: themselves
-a look at parenting, geek culture, celebrity culture and social media as factors in narcissism
-how narcissism can hurt not only loved ones but society in general
-therapeutic methods in treating NPD
-many examples given in politics, entertainment, books and movies to deepen understanding

I did not share the author's hope, however, that this is a somewhat fixable problem on a larger societal level or even on a personal one. Most of us grapple with very hurtful and malignant people at various points in our life and the damage they cause sometimes cannot be healed or ameliorated.

A fascinating look at this societal challenge and an excellent primer for the general reader as well as those working in forensic and mental health settings.

[8stitches 9lives · Rating 4 out of 5]

Renowned social psychologist and professor in the Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Dr W. Keith Campbell, is best known for over three decades of research and writing on the rise of narcissism and its influence on every level of society. In The New Science of Narcissism: Understanding One of the Greatest Psychological Challenges of Our Time―and What You Can Do About It, he presents the latest scientific understanding of narcissism and its various forms, the spectrum of narcissism and Narcissistic Personality Disorder, the “big five” personality traits and the importance of balance, the malleability of our personalities and the possibility for change, and more.

Narcissism is one of the most popular buzzwords of our time—but what is it, really? According to W. Keith Campbell, there’s an important reason why the term is on everyone’s mind: narcissism has quietly grown to near-epidemic proportions across the globe, impacting every sector of society from business and politics to education and medicine. In the midst of this upsurge, he hopes to dispel the myths and mistaken assumptions about narcissism. In The New Science of Narcissism, Campbell pulls back the curtain on this frequently misused label, presenting the most recent psychological, personality, and social research. He reveals that not only does narcissism occur on a spectrum, almost everyone exhibits narcissistic tendencies in their day-to-day behaviour.

Drawing from real-life incidents and case studies, The New Science of Narcissism offers tools, tips, and suggestions for dealing skillfully with behaviours on all points of the narcissistic spectrum. Dr Campbell also examines the recent spike in these tendencies in public spaces such as social media and niche subcultures. When dealing with narcissism and other personality disorders, knowledge truly is power. With The New Science of Narcissism, you can cut through the fog of misunderstanding, discover that narcissism is not insurmountable, and move toward healthier, happier relationships. This is a fascinating, nuanced and multilayered look at narcissism which is written is an accessible, conversational style and is a deep dive into the topic rather than merely skimming the surface. Offering tips to those who live with or know a narcissist, this is a must-read if you are looking to understand said person better. Many thanks to Sounds True for an ARC.

[Kev Willoughby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thorough. Educational. Informative.

In fact, this book will easily exceed the reader's expectations regarding the amount of scientific research available on narcissism within these pages. I don't know that there is a more definitive book in its class available anywhere. The book is heavily focused on past and current research in the field and is much broader and deeper than what might be expected by someone wanting to pick up a quick read and "fix" the overly narcissistic person in their own life. As Dr. Campbell states multiple times, that's not really what this book is about.

I especially found the cover, the synopsis, and the opening chapter, which focuses on a case study involving a narcissist criminal, to be intriguing. I had never before thought of a criminal having narcissistic tendencies, but the author clearly portrays the perpetrator as a textbook narcissist and then provides multiple indicators that illustrate that distinction. I wish there had been more such case studies throughout the remainder of the book.

Beyond Chapter 1, the book becomes much more scholarly, and the author focuses on the tendencies and characteristics of someone who might be described as narcissistic. This doesn't necessarily mean that the narcissist has a disorder. He explains, "The goal here is not to dwell on the horror of narcissism, especially the extreme, the pathological, the most malignant form of narcissism. The idea is to understand narcissism itself, which means stepping back and seeing it from a psychological distance."

My greatest takeaway as a reader is the discovery of two distinct types of narcissists, described as being on different points of a spectrum of narcissism. The more well-known variety is referred to as a "grandiose narcissist." This is the stereotypical self-important, attention-seeking person normally thought of when the term "narcissist" is spoken. However, there is also the prevalence of another type of narcissist, known as a "vulnerable narcissist." An example of this variety is the character of George Costanza from Seinfeld. One distinction between the two types of narcissists is that the grandiose has extroverted tendencies and the vulnerable has introverted tendencies.

Ultimately, both types are seeking attention, but they each employ different methods in doing so. Dr. Campbell explains that, "Related to narcissism, you might talk about self-esteem and how a grandiose narcissist has an overly high sense of self or how a vulnerable narcissist has a wounded sense of self."

Although the cover and introductory parts of the book will certainly appeal to the casual fan of social psychology, I believe that the intended target audience, and those who will most enjoy the book, will be current students at the university level and practicing professionals in the field of psychology.

[Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is probably an okay book if you know little to nothing about narcissism, but I was looking for a more indepth discussion on the subject. Unfortunately, this book didn't provide that.

[Kelly Lambert · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short introduction to the topic of narcissism, as a trait but explored in its wider spectrum as a personality disorder.

This book, although educational, felt like “narcissism for dummies” which don’t get me wrong, I love that this is an accessible book! I was just hoping for more insight from leading researchers in the field.

[E · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book, not only about narcissism, but personality science in general. I learned much about the Big 5 personality trait spectrums, when a tendency becomes a clinical disorder, efficacy of various therapies today, and projected therapies for the future. -A bonus was the tips on living with or leaving a person with narcissistic personality disorder, and tips for spotting one.

Perfect for folks interested in personality science!
Textbook quality info, and decently easy to read.

Might buy my own copy and mark it up. (Then resist the urge to send it to the grandiose narcissist in my life.)

[S. Alberto ⁻⁷ (yearning) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting read, but it didn’t blow me away. The book does a solid job of breaking down different types of narcissism (grandiose vs. vulnerable), how it manifests in individuals and society, and even touches on the role of social media in amplifying narcissistic traits. It’s definitely informative, but at times, it felt a bit repetitive or like it was stretching out concepts that could have been more concise.

That being said, I appreciated how the book didn’t just demonize narcissism but actually explored the nuances—like when and how certain narcissistic traits can be beneficial. If you’re into psychology and want a broad, accessible overview of the topic, it’s worth checking out, but it wasn’t necessarily a mind-blowing read for me.

[mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Does watching & listening to a 3hr. podcast with the author, on Joe Rogan (JRE# 1545) count as 'read'?
There is a lot of good information here. That said, read also Christopher Lasch's "the culture of Narcissism". And, and, and ...

Read my book "Election 2016", too. Just saying. From one narcissist to another.

[Lee Irons · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Donald Trump is a pathological narcissist.” “Look at all those selfies she posts social media – what a narcissist!” “I divorced my ex because he was an emotionally abusive narcissist.” Such labelling of others as “narcissists” is a common fixation in our culture. It seems every time you turn around you hear someone pulling out this label and slapping it on someone they disapprove of.

But what, exactly, is narcissism? How can you tell if someone you know is a narcissist? Can narcissists be cured or at least grow in reducing their narcissism? How should we deal with the narcissists in our lives? These are not easy questions, despite the confident assertions one often hears from self-anointed experts in self-help books and various online forums. Dr. W. Keith Campbell, who is a professor of psychology at the University of Georgia, has teamed up with independent journalist Carolyn Crist to “cut through the noise around narcissism” (from the back cover). Dr. Campbell appears to be one of the leading researchers in this field. In this book, he provide a lay audience with the cutting edge research on the topic of narcissism in an easily accessible manner.

The main conclusion of the book that I find relevant is that psychology researchers have broadened the concept of narcissism. Narcissism is no longer limited to its most extreme form, Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD), but is now viewed as a personality trait that characterizes many people in varying degrees. On this new view, NPD as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is still a real thing, but it is merely the extreme end of a spectrum. Placing “narcissism” in a psychiatric manual that seeks to catalogue and diagnose “mental disorders” pathologizes narcissism. But what if narcissism isn’t so much a pathology or a mental illness but a personality trait that exists on a continuum? What we call NPD is simply when the narcissistic personality gets out of control and causes harm to others. That is what this book is basically arguing.

Dr. Campbell explains that “psychiatry was built with a medical model where people either did or didn’t have a distinct mental illness.” But psychology researchers “began to transition from this medical model to a personality model” (p. 95). Beginning in the 1980s, personality researchers developed “the big five” traits as the key ingredients that make up peoples’ personalities. (Paul Costa and Robert McCrae’s Five-Factor Model of Personality.) The acronym OCEAN is helpful for remembering them: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism. The five traits are actually scales that can be measured on a continuum. Dr. Campbell, working within the OCEAN personality paradigm, argues that narcissism can best be understood as a particular collection of these five traits, actually three of the five.

This development in the field of psychology, from viewing narcissism within the “mental illness” frame to viewing it within the “personality” frame, is a paradigm shift with major implications. It opens up a broader perspective on narcissism. Under the medical model of mental illness, the prototypical narcissist was extremely extraverted, outgoing, and (initially) likable but lacked empathy and used people to bolster their self-image as being the best in whatever area they excelled. This is called “grandiose narcissism.” But with the shift to viewing narcissism as a personality trait, grandiose narcissism was no longer seen as the only version of narcissism. Now a second variety began to emerge, and this is now called “vulnerable narcissism.” Both are forms of narcissism where the self is the focus, but the difference is that whereas grandiose narcissists seek to build up their ego, vulnerable narcissists are more focused on protecting their ego from harm. Grandiose narcissists are focused on looking good, shining in public, and triumphing over others. Vulnerable narcissists are focused on not looking bad and losing face, and so are always scanning the environment for threats to their ego (p. 65).

Dr. Campbell argues for what he calls “the trifurcated model of narcissism.” I personally find this a bit confusing, since it is really a bifurcated model – grandiose vs. vulnerable narcissism. But the term “trifurcated” is referring to three personality traits of “the big five” that need to be examined in order to analyze narcissism. The three traits that Dr. Campbell relies on are Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism. (The first two traits of OCEAN – Openness and Conscientiousness – don’t make a difference in Dr. Campbell’s analysis.) A grandiose narcissist is high on the Extraversion scale, low on the Agreeableness scale (i.e., more antagonistic and disagreeable), and low in Neuroticism. A vulnerable narcissist is low on Extraversion (i.e., more introverted), low on Agreeableness, and high in Neuroticism (more anxious, fearful, and prone to sadness). On the first and third traits (Extraversion and Neuroticism) they are opposites: whereas the grandiose narcissist is an extravert, the vulnerable narcissist is an introvert; and whereas the grandiose narcissist is low in neuroticism, the vulnerable narcissist is high in neuroticism. The grandiose narcissist is a self-confident extravert. The vulnerable narcissist is an anxious introvert. But where they have overlap is on the middle trait – they both tend to have disagreeable or antagonistic personalities.

Furthermore, since narcissism is now being viewed under the lens of personality traits, it is no longer viewed as a mental illness or disorder which, when diagnosed, means that the narcissist is to be categorically defined as a sociopath, incapable of empathy or self-awareness, and totally incapable of change. On the old view, narcissists are utterly incurable, and the only thing that can be done is to fear them, mark them, separate from them, divorce them, and generally keep one’s distance from them. But if narcissism comes in two forms and if both are on a continuum with more or less narcissism viewed as a personality trait, then it is wrong to foster the fear of being harmed by the narcissist and then counsel the alleged “victim” that the only thing they can do is separate themselves from the narcissistic abuser. Of course, some narcissists may cause tremendous hurt to those around them, particularly their intimate partners. But why can’t they be confronted, made aware of their hurtful behavior, and learn to modify it? They may still struggle with narcissistic tendencies, but they can learn to reign them in so as to reduce harm to others.

Going back to the OCEAN analysis of personality traits, another way of putting this is, Can people change their personality traits or move their “slider” on each “channel” of OCEAN? Can a person who is low in Conscientiousness learn to be more conscientious? Can a person who is low in Agreeableness learn to be more agreeable? If narcissism is a recipe based on a collection of traits in OCEAN, and if those traits themselves are on a spectrum from low to high, then theoretically a narcissist could become more aware of the ways in which they are capable of giving in to their narcissism in a way that causes harm to others. They could presumably be taught to control their narcissistic behavior to limit hurting others. There is nothing in the new psychological model of narcissism preventing this. Narcissism is no longer an immutable mental disorder or a pathology that is difficult if not impossible to treat, but a personality trait that exists on a spectrum and that is more or less malleable.

As a theologian, I am struck by the fact that narcissism now just begins to look more like a basic description of our fallen human condition. Isn’t the essence of sin self-centeredness? Apart from grace, aren’t we all narcissists to some degree? Perhaps some of us hide it and manage it better than others. Perhaps we don’t all express it in its extraverted grandiose form. Perhaps we wallow in the more vulnerable variety that is harder to spot. But if we are honest with ourselves, aren’t we all narcissists of one stripe or another? If that is the case, then we can learn not to fear narcissism, whether in ourselves or in others, and we can believe in the power of God’s grace to transform us. Rather than labelling each other as narcissists, and using that “medical” diagnosis as justification to cut off relationships with those whom we feel have hurt us, we can recognize self-centeredness as sin (both in others and in ourselves) and then engage the battle with sin, not with the tools of modern psychotherapy but with the power of the gospel.

[Tumelo Motaung · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Year of Less by Cait Flanders

Got the book I'm reading, The Year ofvLess by Cait Flanders, because of its tagline: how I stopped shopping, gave away my belongings, and discovered that life is worth more than anything you can buy in a store.

Halfway through, and I'm an unsatisfied customer. Although based around a year-long shopping ban that Cait embarked on, she's telling us more about the reasons behind the ban and how everyone around her responded.

She spends an aweful amount of time writing about how her decisions have affected others, going as far as making excuses for them in some parts.

I'm a little irritated at Cait, if I'm being honest. As much as I'm keen on context, I find the book to be more of a memoir, a coming clean that culminated in her coming to the realisation that less is more, than it is about what she promises in the tagline.

I'm glad it's a small book, because I hate thinking about other books that gave me more than what I'm working with at the moment... Like Greg McKeown's Essentialism. I don't often read books more than once, but that's a book I read twice in three years.

Essentialism had me really thinking about what's important, why we make the buying buying decisions we do, and what it all means in the end. Coupled with Dan Ariely's Predictably Irrational, I became a seasoned thrifter, giving away most of my possessions and living on what I needed, growing my own vegetables and spending more on experiences than I do things. Except from the hundreds of books I own, it's a pretty simple life.

Living in this way this is rebellion, and I know just what Cait is taking about when she recounts the negative reactions to her choosing to stop using drugs and alcohol, and now going against the capitalist clog. I stopped eating meat three years ago and have had to deal with the backlash from that since, even though I'm the one who made the choice.

But, half a book justifying your life choices seems a waste to me. I'm hoping that she deals with that last part in the tagline in the second half of the book. That would make me a happy reader.

Plan to reread Naomi Klein's No Logo, which I took up many years ago and had a tremendous impact on my buying choices, and have my eye on Mark Fisher's Capitalism Realism and Paul Mason's Postcapitalism. Has anyone read these?

[Danny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most honest book I’ve ever read about narcissism.
I resorted to a book because of a potential narcissist in my life. I was hesitant to read because every book I’ve read on narcissism in the past has felt very angry and vengeful. This book is well researched, it gets straight to the point, it’s honest about how to narcissism can sometimes be beneficial, and how to deal with narcissists (even if the solutions aren’t ideal). This book gave me more information on narcissism than all of the past books combined, taught me how to deal with the narcissist in my life, and somehow actually left me feeling really hopeful about the future.
I will read anything this author writes on narcissism, and I plan on it.

[Brian Sachetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won’t lie, I probably wouldn’t have read this one if I hadn’t listened to the author’s appearance on the Joe Rogan podcast, but I’m glad that I did, because it was a pretty good and interesting book.

The thing I think was most interesting about it was that it actually wasn’t solely focused on narcissism. Sure, there’s plenty of narcissism-related content, but there’s also a lot of time spent on psychology itself — personality types and traits, disorders, and psychotherapy.

Thus, upon finishing this one, the reader has a better understanding of not only narcissistic personality disorder but also the ways by which similar disorders arise, too.

I think this inclusion of “more general” content helps make the book more digestible and provides a platform on which the narcissism-related pieces can stand. So, whether you’re interested in narcissism or psychology in general, check this one out.

-Brian Sachetta
Author of “Get Out of Your Head”

[MelW6 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 Good reference material

[Guilherme Smee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Um livro que poderia ser interessantíssimo, mas que rema, rema, rema e não sai do lugar. Este é mais um daqueles livros que querem ao mesmo tempo ser descolados e atingir o público popular e ao mesmo tempo tratar de um tema importante sem a importância que ele tem. Mistura um pouco de biografia com cultura pop (o capítulo sobre a comunidade nerd é um dos mais rasos sobre o tema que já li) e também desenvolver uma psicologia pop. Os autores trazem uma diferenciação entre dois tipos de narcisismo: o grandioso, que se relaciona com personagens como Tony Stark, que têm autoestima elevada e se sentem muito bem a seu próprio respeito, são audaciosos e mostram egoísmo e falta de empatia; e o vulnerável, que está sempre deprimido, mas ao mesmo tempo se sente injustiçado como se merecesse um lugar ou tratamento especial que nunca lhe é dedicado. Essa diferenciação acho que é a grande contribuição do livro, o restante flerta tanto com a psicologia pop e com a autoajuda (desenvolvimento pessoal) que fica difícil levar a sério.

[Kendall (reads more&) Moore · Rating 2 out of 5]

#readingchallenge2023 (my book by an author with the same initials)

When I chose this book, it was because I honestly felt I didn't really know much about the concept of narcissism & thought it would be fascinating to learn more indepth discussion points surrounding. Except, once I started reading, I realized I guess I knew more than I did...or maybe it was just the author's shallow approach to the topic.

The writing was very dry- with frequent references to technical books, psych studies, and definitions, leaving it reading more like a 101 textbook than non-fiction interesting.

[Miss C · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting discussion of narcissism and offers some alternative interpretations than the exclusively negative. Good review of research into the area and the book offers different forms of narcissism and their underlying traits. The links to popular culture makes the book more accessible to lay readers. At times the arguments are a little long winded but generally a good book about a controversial subject.

[Zoe Zaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a person with vulnerable NPD, this is ine of the more compassionate, hopeful, helpful books on the topic. Many books on this topic cast those with NPD as destined to abuse and manipulate those around them. This is NOT a self-help guide, but I found the breakdown of different aspects of vulnerable NPD and analysis of when these traits can be beneficial very helpful in developing insight to my behaviors.

[Marc Alexander · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt the subject matter could have been explained in a few chapters, the book was drawn out too long and I couldn’t wait to finish it.....

[Maria Siap · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great scientific view of an over talked about but misunderstood concept.

[Stephanie Spence · Rating 4 out of 5]

In "The New Science of Narcissism: Understanding One of the Greatest Psychological Challenges of Our Time―and What You Can Do About It," W. Keith Campbell provides a nuanced and comprehensive examination of narcissism, a personality trait that has become increasingly relevant in our self-obsessed culture. Campbell, a leading expert in the field, breaks down the complexities of narcissism into three distinct types: grandiose, vulnerable, and communal.

The exploration of these types is both fascinating and essential for understanding the multifaceted nature of narcissism. Grandiose narcissism, characterized by extroversion, dominance, and a sense of entitlement, is often what comes to mind when people think of narcissism. Campbell's analysis reveals the societal and psychological mechanisms that enable such individuals to thrive in environments that reward confidence and charisma, even to the detriment of others.

Vulnerable narcissism, on the other hand, presents a stark contrast. Individuals with this form of narcissism are marked by insecurity, defensiveness, and hypersensitivity. Campbell’s discussion of vulnerable narcissists is particularly intriguing as it challenges the stereotype of the overtly arrogant narcissist, instead highlighting how deep-seated feelings of inadequacy can manifest in subtle yet equally destructive ways.

The third type, communal narcissism, is perhaps the most controversial and thought-provoking. These individuals seek validation through a facade of altruism and moral superiority. Campbell’s insights into communal narcissism expose the often-hidden self-serving motives behind seemingly selfless actions, prompting readers to critically evaluate the true intentions behind public displays of virtue.

Campbell's work is compelling not only for its academic rigor but also for its practical relevance. He doesn't just diagnose the problem; he offers concrete strategies for mitigating the impact of narcissism on personal relationships and society at large. However, his categorization of narcissism types invites controversy, particularly in how it challenges socially accepted behaviors and motivations, urging readers to reflect on the pervasive influence of narcissistic traits in everyday life.

"The New Science of Narcissism" is a seminal work that pushes the boundaries of psychological research and societal introspection. It provides a critical lens through which to view one of the most pressing psychological issues of our time, making it an indispensable read for both scholars and laypeople interested in the intricate dynamics of the human psyche.

[Katelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

All the information is interesting and relevant. My only complaint is that the writing is riddled with run-on sentences and unclear meanings.


Below are two examples of what I mean by "unclear meanings":

1) "Neuroticism, the final trait, is associated with anxiety, fearfulness, self-consciousness, and emotional reactivity, which is a fancy way of saying neurotic people often get angry or aggressive when faced with threats."

It's not clear to me from this sentence whether 'emotional reactivity' is a fancy way of saying neurotic people often get angry or aggressive when faced with threats, or if the entire list of traits associated with neuroticism is a fancy way of saying neurotic people often get angry or aggressive when faced with threats. I assume it's the former, but I had to stop and think about it for a moment while I was reading.

2) "In other areas, we need to support active, investigative journalism that reports the news—and that people trust. Narcissism thrives in a post-truth world, which developed with the rise of social media, "fake news," and a changing news industry where local news publications are closing their doors. New media organizations are developed each year to fill these gaps, and one way to combat the negative aspects of narcissism in our world is to support these efforts."

What is this paragraph even saying?? I understand the literal meaning of the first two sentences, but I truly cannot say what the literal meaning of the last sentence is. The paragraph as a whole is garbage writing. It offers almost no helpful information and amounts to little more than a platitude. I expect more from an academic and a professional writer together. TWO people allowed this nonsense to happen!

Anyway, little issues of clarity like these are not a big deal if they happen once or twice, but this book has a LOT of them.

[Tillmann Int-Veen · Rating 3 out of 5]

My most important takeaway was that the science of narcissism is not yet ripe, sometimes inconclusive and contradictory, and often non-replicable. Neither the definitions nor the methods to study narcissism are agreed upon yet by the community studying this behavior. Kudos to the author for actually pointing this out instead of portraying weak science as fact.

The definitions and anecdotal examples of narcissistic behavior at the beginning of the book are helpful. The models which the author uses to try to summarize findings are much too simple and don’t stick, in my opinion.

[Pdx · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cohesive data of historical research in narcissism across different dimensions of societal roles-- easy , fun going and dynamic presentation. The authors understand the value of monitoring the results of variable scale differentiation across different domains and also present the case of the newfangled case of rise of narcissistic leaders which a good reader of Machiavéli can highly critique on the basis of power hierarchical dynamics from a histriohraphic perspective, to add to which a biologist can chime in w effectiveness of trait-dependent relationships out in the wild.

[Matthew Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating look into one of the most commonly miss understood aspects of our society. Keith smoothly lays out the science, benefits and negatives of Narcissism. Also cleverly outlines how to use it to our advantage, as well as limit other people's Narcissism. A great read for people looking to understand their own, their partners or societies Narcissism.

[Stuart Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely a more specialist book containing more information than I will ever need to know, this book looks at narcissists and narcissism from a different angle: one which see nuance and shade. A great read for those who want to challenged in their psychology journey, but I would recommend some background in the subject before tackling. Certainly not one for general reading or self-help.

[Adam Bloch · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title intrigued me because I've started to notice that everyone seems to be using "narcissist" as a stand in for "someone I don't like" (myself being guilty). Wanting to know more about this word the culture has told us to use, I picked up the book. It helps define the terms for a general audience and explores the idea of why narcissism might seem to be more pervasive nowadays.

[Isiah O’Merreighn · Rating 5 out of 5]

From a psychoanalytical perspective this is a great book. It is about time that neurotic (vulnerable) narcissism is finally recognized, as it is often more common. Of course, from a Christian worldview the solutions often proffered by the psychotherapeutic community is hopeless. The Gospel is the only true solution. But we often think of the two as incompatible. In reality both work together perfectly, when personality science is placed within a Christian foundation.

[Lisa M. Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! Easy to read and very interesting. I live in Atlanta and I didn’t know before reading the book that the author teaches at UGA. I bought another one of his books to read next!

[Oak · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone new to the Big Five and the nuances of narcissism, especially vulnerable narcissism, this was informative. One of the most interesting things to me were how geek culture can intersect with narcissism and the Great Fantasy Migration.

[Effat · Rating 5 out of 5]

A reader friendly book that is very informative and fun to read in the same time. It will take you in a very interesting journey where you will understand the narcissists, why they behave the way they do, and much more is waiting for you in this marvelous book.