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Cited by 125Personality Traits and PsychologyBullying, Victimization, and AggressionSocial and Intergroup Psychology

The Two Pathways to Being an (Un‐)Popular Narcissist

Küfner, Albrecht C. P., Nestler, Steffen, Back, Mitja D.·2013·Journal of Personality
DOI 10.1111/j.1467-6494.2012.00795.x
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Abstract

Objective: Narcissism affects social relationships from the very first interactions. The overall positivity of social impressions narcissists evoke is, however, unclear—with previous research reporting positive, negative, or null effects on popularity at short‐term acquaintance. Here we postulate a dual‐pathway model, which explains the effects of narcissism on (un‐)popularity as the result of two opposing behavioral pathways: assertiveness and aggressiveness. Method: In two studies, unacquainted G erman college students (N = 100; N = 68) met in groups of four to six persons and engaged in group discussions. Afterward, they provided ratings of each other's assertiveness, aggressiveness, and likeability. In S tudy 2, we additionally videotaped the sessions and assessed participants’ actual behavior. Results: Results of both studies confirm our dual‐pathway hypothesis: There was a “positive” and a “negative” path from targets’ narcissism to being liked or not—dependent upon being seen as assertive or aggressive. Behavioral observations showed that expressive and dominant behaviors mediated the positive path, whereas arrogant and combative behaviors mediated the negative path. Conclusions: Initial (un‐)popularity of narcissists at early stages of interpersonal interactions depends on the behavioral pathway that is triggered in the given situational context.

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  • As interactions grow more intimate, narcissists are more likely to lose their initially high status and become less trusted and liked over time, especially because of antagonistic behaviors.

    “However, as interactions grew more intimate, narcissists were more likely to lose their initially high status and to become less trusted and liked over time, especially because of their antagonistic behaviors (Carlson & Lawless DesJardins, 2015; Küfner, Nestler, & Back, 2013; Leckelt et al., 2015; Paulhus, 1998).”

    From The "Why" and "How" of Narcissism: A Process Model of Narcissistic Status Pursuit (2020) · cites this paper as Küfner, Nestler, & Back, 2013

  • At early stages of acquaintance, narcissists are more likely to increase in status and likability.

    “Studies focusing on the formation of affiliative bonds among previously unacquainted individuals found that, at early stages of acquaintance, narcissists were more likely to increase in status and likability.”

    From The "Why" and "How" of Narcissism: A Process Model of Narcissistic Status Pursuit (2020) · cites this paper as Küfner, Nestler, & Back, 2013

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Authors
Küfner, A. C. P., Nestler, S., & Back, M. D.
Affiliations
University of Münster (DE)
Corresponding author
Küfner, Albrecht C. P.
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Personality
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2013-02-05
Volume
81
Issue
2
Pages
184-195
ISSN
  • 0022-3506 (ISSN-L)
  • 1467-6494
DOI
10.1111/j.1467-6494.2012.00795.x
OpenAlex
W2105236394
Cited by
124
References
74
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 22 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 2
FWCI
11.62
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor)
Locations
  • Journal of Personality (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Traits and Psychology
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Bullying, Victimization, and Aggression
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Social and Intergroup Psychology
Keywords
narcissism, popularity, likeability, assertiveness, aggression, dual-pathway model, interpersonal impressions, group discussion, expressive behavior, situational context, first impressions
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Aggression, Assertiveness, Communication, Female, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Male, Models, Psychological, Narcissism, Social Behavior

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