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Cited by 2,113Bullying, Victimization, and AggressionPersonality Traits and PsychologyDeath Anxiety and Social Exclusion

Threatened egotism, narcissism, self-esteem, and direct and displaced aggression: Does self-love or self-hate lead to violence?

Bushman, Brad J., Baumeister, Roy F.·1998·Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
DOI 10.1037/0022-3514.75.1.219
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Abstract

It has been widely asserted that low self-esteem causes violence, but laboratory evidence is lacking, and some contrary observations have characterized aggressors as having favorable self-opinions. In 2 studies, both simple self-esteem and narcissism were measured, and then individual participants were given an opportunity to aggress against someone who had insulted them or praised them or against an innocent third person. Self-esteem proved irrelevant to aggression. The combination of narcissism and insult led to exceptionally high levels of aggression toward the source of the insult. Neither form of self-regard affected displaced aggression, which was low in general. These findings contradict the popular view that low self-esteem causes aggression and point instead toward threatened egotism as an important cause.

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  • Narcissism, rather than self-esteem, predicts retaliatory aggression after negative feedback.

    “the threatened egotism theory, which posits that narcissism, rather than self-esteem, predicts retaliatory aggression after negative feedback (Bushman & Baumeister, 1998).”

    From Collective Narcissism: Political Consequences of Investing Self‐Worth in the Ingroup’s Image (2019) · cites this paper as Bushman & Baumeister, 1998

  • When narcissists are criticized, humiliated, or outperformed by others, they seek to derogate them.

    “A large body of research suggests that when narcissists are criticized, humiliated, or outperformed by others, they seek to derogate them (Bushman & Baumeister, 1998; Horton & Sedikides, 2009; Kernis & Sun, 1994; Stucke & Sporer, 2002; Thomaes, Bushman, Stegge, & Olthof, 2008).”

    From The "Why" and "How" of Narcissism: A Process Model of Narcissistic Status Pursuit (2020) · cites this paper as Bushman & Baumeister, 1998

  • In experiments, narcissists were more aggressive than nonnarcissists toward those who criticized or outperformed them.

    “For example, in a series of experiments, narcissists were more aggressive than nonnarcissists toward those who criticized or outperformed them (Bushman & Baumeister, 1998; Thomaes, Bushman, et al., 2008).”

    From The "Why" and "How" of Narcissism: A Process Model of Narcissistic Status Pursuit (2020) · cites this paper as Bushman & Baumeister, 1998

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Authors
Bushman, B. J., & Baumeister, R. F.
Affiliations
Iowa State University (US)
Corresponding author
Bushman, Brad J.
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
Publisher
American Psychological Association (APA)
Published
1998-07
Volume
75
Issue
1
Pages
219-229
ISSN
  • 0022-3514 (ISSN-L)
  • 1939-1315
DOI
10.1037/0022-3514.75.1.219
OpenAlex
W2150232152
Cited by
2,113
References
51
Citations by year
2026: 73 · 2025: 54 · 2024: 72 · 2023: 66 · 2022: 67 · 2021: 113 · 2020: 161 · 2019: 82 · 2018: 117 · 2017: 112 · 2016: 124 · 2015: 114 · 2014: 100 · 2013: 116 · 2012: 103
FWCI
24.96
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health (5r01mh051482-03)
  • National Institute of Mental Health (MH-51482)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Bullying, Victimization, and Aggression
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Traits and Psychology
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Death Anxiety and Social Exclusion
Keywords
narcissism, self-esteem, egotism, displaced aggression, direct aggression, self-regard, violence, self-love, self-hatred
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Aggression, Defense Mechanisms, Displacement, Psychological, Female, Hate, Humans, Internal-External Control, Love, Male, Narcissism, Personality Inventory, Self Concept, Students, Violence

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