narcissists
Admirers of themselves
Narcissists are people with excessive self-admiration and a sense of their own importance.
The term comes from Narcissus, a figure in Greek mythology who fell in love with his own reflection.
In everyday use, narcissist describes someone self-absorbed and lacking empathy: He's such a narcissist—every conversation becomes about him.
Clinical narcissism involves a more specific personality disorder.
Manipulation causing self-doubt
- love-bombingCalculated excessive flattery
- triangulationLocation via three points
- hooveringCleaning floors with suction
- devaluationLowering of currency worth
exploitation · coercion · control · scheming · cunning · calculated · insidious · conniving
Exaggerated sense of significance
- superiorityHigher rank or quality
- entitlementAssumed right to benefits
- arroganceExcessive self-importance
- boastfulnessExcessive pride in oneself
conceit · haughtiness · pomposity · smugness · hubris · bragging · swaggering · overconfidence
Painful awareness of failure
- fragilityEase of breaking
- vulnerabilityOpenness to harm
- defensivenessResistance to perceived attack
- envyResentful longing for another's
jealousy · inferiority · inadequacy · thin-skinned · rage · self-doubt · overcompensation · perfectionism
Cruel emotional indifference
- coldnessLow temperature state
- indifferenceLack of interest
- dismissivenessAttitude of casual disregard
- objectificationReducing humans to things
dehumanization · cruelty · selfishness · self-absorption · exploitation · uncaring · remorselessness · detachment
Reflective viewing surface
- appearanceOutward visible form
- preeningGrooming with vanity
- groomingSelf-care for appearance
- selfiesSelf-taken photographs
self-admiration · fashion · glamour · primping · aesthetics · image · superficiality · self-worship
Magnetic personal appeal
- magnetismForce between poles
- seductionEnticing someone romantically
- flatteryExcessive insincere praise
- persuasionConvincing through reasoning
allure · captivation · engaging · eloquence · confidence · impression management · superficial · mirroring
gaslighting
Manipulation causing self-doubt
- love-bombingCalculated excessive flattery
- triangulationLocation via three points
- hooveringCleaning floors with suction
devaluation · exploitation · coercion · control · scheming · cunning · calculated · insidious · conniving · deceptive
self-importance
Exaggerated sense of significance
- superiorityHigher rank or quality
- entitlementAssumed right to benefits
- arroganceExcessive self-importance
boastfulness · conceit · haughtiness · pomposity · smugness · hubris · bragging · swaggering · overconfidence · dominance
shame
Painful awareness of failure
- fragilityEase of breaking
- vulnerabilityOpenness to harm
- defensivenessResistance to perceived attack
envy · jealousy · inferiority · inadequacy · thin-skinned · rage · self-doubt · overcompensation · perfectionism · paranoia
callousness
Cruel emotional indifference
- coldnessLow temperature state
- indifferenceLack of interest
- dismissivenessAttitude of casual disregard
objectification · dehumanization · cruelty · selfishness · self-absorption · exploitation · uncaring · remorselessness · detachment · insensitivity
mirror
Reflective viewing surface
- appearanceOutward visible form
- preeningGrooming with vanity
- groomingSelf-care for appearance
selfies · self-admiration · fashion · glamour · primping · aesthetics · image · superficiality · self-worship · attractiveness
charisma
Magnetic personal appeal
- magnetismForce between poles
- seductionEnticing someone romantically
- flatteryExcessive insincere praise
persuasion · allure · captivation · engaging · eloquence · confidence · impression management · superficial · mirroring · likability
- show-offsbraggarts, boasters, showboats, grandstanders, egotists
narcissistsaltruists
People motivated by others' welfare
humanitarians · philanthropists · givers · caregivers · empaths
narcissistsnurturers
Those who foster development
servants · givers · team players · encouragers · supporters
- narcissistic personality disorderMental illness featuring grandiosity, entitlement
- malignant narcissismPathological self-love with cruelty
- narcissistic rageAnger when self-image challenged