After examining data from more than 475,000 participants, a study compiling 31 years of narcissism research found that men consistently scored higher in narcissism. This held true across multiple generations and regardless of age.
The new study, from the University at Buffalo School of Management reveals that men, on average, are in fact more narcissistic than women.
According to ead author Emily Grijalva, assistant professor of organization and human resources, University at Buffalo.
“Narcissism is associated with various interpersonal dysfunctions, including an inability to maintain healthy long-term relationships, unethical behavior, and aggression.
At the same time, narcissism is shown to boost self-esteem, emotional stability, and the tendency to emerge as a leader. By examining gender differences in narcissism, we may be able to explain gender disparities in these important outcomes.”
The researchers looked at more than 355 journal articles, manuscripts, dissertations and technical manuals, and studied gender differences in the three aspects of narcissism:
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Leadership/authority
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Grandiose/exhibitionism
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Entitlement
They found the widest gap in entitlement, suggesting that men are more likely than women to exploit others and feel entitled to certain privileges.
Leadership and Authority
The second largest difference was in leadership/authority.
“Compared with women, men exhibit more assertiveness and desire for power,” Grijalva says. “But there was no difference in the exhibitionism aspect, meaning both genders are equally likely to display vanity or self-absorption.”
In addition, the study looked at data from college students between 1990 and 2013, and found no evidence that either gender has become more narcissistic over time.
Gender Stereotypes and Narcissism
Research has shown that personality differences, like narcissism, can arise from gender stereotypes and expectations that have been ingrained over time. The authors speculate that the persistent lack of women in senior leadership roles may partially stem from the disparity between stereotypes of femininity and leadership.
Said Grijalva:
“Individuals tend to observe and learn gender roles from a young age, and may face backlash for deviating from society’s expectations.
In particular, women often receive harsh criticism for being aggressive or authoritative, which creates pressure for women, more so than for men, to suppress displays of narcissistic behavior.”
Future research in the subject could investigate the social, cultural, or biological factors that contribute to these gender differences.
Reference:
Gender differences in narcissism: A meta-analytic review.
Grijalva, Emily; Newman, Daniel A.; Tay, Louis; Donnellan, M. Brent; Harms, P. D.; Robins, Richard W.; Yan, Taiyi
Psychological Bulletin, Vol 141(2), Mar 2015, 261-310.
Last Updated on November 10, 2022