The emergence of narcissism and self-esteem: A social-cognitive approach
Open accessAbstract
What separates narcissism from self-esteem, and what sparks their development? This article proposes that narcissism and self-esteem are underpinned by distinct core beliefs – beliefs about the nature of the self, of others, and of the relationship between the self and others. These beliefs (1) arise early in development, (2) are cultivated by distinct socialization experiences, and (3) can be targeted through precise interventions so as to simultaneously curb narcissism and raise self-esteem. Recognizing the distinction between narcissism and self-esteem will help parents, teachers, and practitioners nurture healthy feelings of self-worth in children from an early age.
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The experience that parents' regard is conditional might be an important factor in the early development of narcissism.
“Indeed, the experience that parents’ regard is conditional might be an important factor in the early development of narcissism (Assor & Tal, 2012; Brummelman, 2018)”
From The "Why" and "How" of Narcissism: A Process Model of Narcissistic Status Pursuit (2020) · cites this paper as Brummelman, 2018
Cites
Does low self-esteem predict depression and anxiety? A meta-analysis of longitudinal studies.
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Authentic and Hubristic Pride: The Affective Core of Self-esteem and Narcissism
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Understanding the Social Costs of Narcissism: The Case of the Tragedy of the Commons
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Behavioral processes underlying the decline of narcissists’ popularity over time.
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Origins of narcissism in children
Brummelman, E., Thomaes, S., Nelemans, S. A., Orobio de Castro, B., Overbeek, G., & Bushman, B. J. (2015) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.1420870112 · Cited by 260 · see citing works
Self-citationMarigold, D. C., Holmes, J. G., & Ross, M. (2007) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.92.2.232 · Cited by 155 · see citing works
Down-Regulating Narcissistic Tendencies: Communal Focus Reduces State Narcissism
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Self-citationThomaes, S., & Brummelman, E. (2016) · Developmental Psychopathology · doi:10.1002/9781119125556.devpsy316 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
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The "Why" and "How" of Narcissism: A Process Model of Narcissistic Status Pursuit
Grapsas, S., Brummelman, E., Back, M. D., & Denissen, J. J. A. (2020) · Perspectives on Psychological Science · doi:10.1177/1745691619873350 · Cited by 312 · see citing works
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- Authors
- Brummelman, E.
- Affiliations
- University of Amsterdam (NL)
- Corresponding author
- Brummelman, Eddie
- ORCID
- Brummelman, Eddie
- Venue
- European Journal of Developmental Psychology
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2017-12-26
- Volume
- 15
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 756-767
- ISSN
- 1740-5610 (ISSN-L)
- 1740-5629
- OpenAlex
- W2778364537
- Cited by
- 12
- References
- 10
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 1
- FWCI
- 1.02
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- zenodo.org
- Licence
- other-oa
- Locations
- European Journal of Developmental Psychology (publishedVersion)
- UvA-DARE (University of Amsterdam) (publishedVersion)
- Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- H2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (705217)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Traits and Psychology
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Emotions and Moral Behavior
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
- Keywords
- narcissism, self-esteem, core beliefs, socio-cognitive approach, self-worth, socialization, early development, self-other relations, self-concept, parenting
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