The DOI matches its Crossref record; 73 of the 73 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Moving Narcissus: Can Narcissists Be Empathic?
Abstract
Empathy plays a critical role in fostering and maintaining social relations. Narcissists lack empathy, and this may account for their interpersonal failures. But why do narcissists lack empathy? Are they incapable, or is change possible? Three studies addressed this question. Study 1 showed that the link between narcissism and low empathy generalizes to a specific target person presented in a vignette. The effect was driven by maladaptive narcissistic components (i.e., entitlement, exploitativeness, exhibitionism). Study 2 examined the effect of perspective-taking (vs. control) instructions on self-reported responses to a video. Study 3 examined the effect of the same manipulation on autonomic arousal (heart rate [HR]) during an audio-recording. Perspective-taking ameliorated negative links between maladaptive narcissism and both self-reported empathy and HR. That is, narcissists can be moved by another's suffering, if they take that person's perspective. The findings demonstrate that narcissists' low empathy does not reflect inability, implying potential for intervention.
Overview
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Verification
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
In the citing paper
“An interplay between narcissism and empathy was investigated from the clinical conceptualization of NPD to its launch in the DSM–III (22), deficits in empathy processing was considered a hallmark of pathological narcissism (23–26).”
From The dark side of empathy in narcissistic personality disorder (2023) · cites this paper as [26]
Citations
Cites
(2013) · Cited by 44,563
The Standard Edition of the Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud
Freud, S. (1953) · Cited by 17,730
Measuring individual differences in empathy: Evidence for a multidimensional approach.
Davis, M. H. (1983) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.44.1.113 · Cited by 10,272
Does the chimpanzee have a theory of mind?
Premack, D., & Woodruff, G. (1978) · Behavioral and Brain Sciences · doi:10.1017/s0140525x00076512 · Cited by 8,743
Journal of social behavior and personality
(1986) · Personality and Individual Differences · doi:10.1016/0191-8869(86)90025-5 · Cited by 6,751
The dark triad of personality: Narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy
Paulhus, D. L., & Williams, K. M. (2002) · Journal of Research in Personality · doi:10.1016/s0092-6566(02)00505-6 · Cited by 5,265
The chameleon effect: the perception–behavior link and social interaction
Chartrand, T. L., & Bargh, J. A. (1999) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.76.6.893 · Cited by 3,674
(2014) · Psychology Press eBooks · doi:10.4324/9781315736945-36 · Cited by 2,232
Bushman, B. J., & Baumeister, R. F. (1998) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.75.1.219 · Cited by 2,113
Lamm, C., Decety, J., & Singer, T. (2011) · NeuroImage · doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2010.10.014 · Cited by 2,016 · cited 2×
“This should then activate the relevant neural processes (Lamm et al., 2011) and trigger affective empathy (Vreeke & van der Mark, 2003).”
Background
Flagged first, then by citations
Research works printed but not linked: 7
- Campbell W. K., 2007, Frontiers in social psychology: The self, 115
- Kohut H., 1971, The analysis of the self
- 10.1037//0022-3514.74.5.1197 · DOI · Paper page
- 10.1037/0022-3514.75.1.219 · DOI · Paper page
- Sedikides C., 2002, Self and identity: Personal, social, and symbolic, 103
- 10.1037//0022-3514.57.4.641 · DOI
- 10.1016/j.neubi-orev.2009.06.002 · DOI
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Items 101–151 of 151
Reducing prejudice by enhancing the other rather than the self
Legault, L., Coleman, D., Jurchak, K., & Scaltsas, N. (2021) · Self and Identity · doi:10.1080/15298868.2021.1965016 · Cited by 4
What Factors Affect Empathy in People with Narcissism?
Yang, Y., & Oh, L. (2024) · Pacific Journal of Health · doi:10.56031/2576-215x.1058 · Cited by 3
Do Narcissists Enjoy Visiting Social Networking Sites? It Depends on How Adaptive They Are
Shi, Y., Luo, Y. L. L., Yang, Z., Liu, Y., & Bao, H. (2018) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01739 · Cited by 5
Exploitative Leadership: An Exploratory Focus Group Study of Young Professionals
Vilser, M., & Wein, L. (2026) · Employee Responsibilities and Rights Journal · doi:10.1007/s10672-026-09580-w · Cited by 2
Self-Enhancing Self-Presentation
Sedikides, C., Hoorens, V., & Dufner, M. (2015) · Emerald Group Publishing Limited eBooks · doi:10.1108/978-1-68123-169-320251003 · Cited by 29
When empathy goes wrong: the perceived cost of empathy reduces empathic reactions to a friend
Takamatsu, R., Xu, W., & Matsuo, A. (2025) · The Journal of Social Psychology · doi:10.1080/00224545.2025.2480742 · Cited by 2
Müller, F. L., Czarna, A. Z., & Dufner, M. (2025) · Personality Science · doi:10.1177/27000710251359515 · Cited by 2
Biesen, J. N., & Smith, D. A. (2023) · The Journal of Psychology · doi:10.1080/00223980.2023.2255925 · Cited by 4
New Directions in Narcissistic Aggression: The Role of the Self-concept on Group-Based Aggression
Jones, D. N., & Neria, A. L. (2018) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-92171-6_38 · Cited by 2
Narcissism and concern: The mediating role of explicit motives
Lapierre-Bédard, A., Rancourt-Tremblay, Z., Painchaud, J.-A. M., Allard, M., & Descôteaux, J. (2022) · Current Psychology · doi:10.1007/s12144-022-03261-1 · Cited by 2
Narcissism and Affirmation of the Ideal Self on Social Media in Thailand
Isaranon, Y. (2016) · Goldsmiths (University of London) · doi:10.25602/gold.00019154 · Cited by 2
Narcissists are not more egocentric: evidence from a performance-based perspective-taking measurePreprint
Bukowski, H., Bigot, A., & Samson, D. (2022) · doi:10.31234/osf.io/rtyfm · Cited by 3
Gauglitz, I. K. (2021) · doi:10.20378/irb-54906 · Cited by 2
Pan, Y., & Motevalli, S. (2023) · International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development · doi:10.6007/ijarped/v12-i3/17869 · Cited by 4
Behavioral manifestations and neural mechanisms of empathic pain
Yang, S., Zhang, J., Zhang, Q., Hu, S.-W., Ji, Y., Zhou, X., Pan, Y., & Wang, Y. (2025) · Neuropharmacology · doi:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2025.110344 · Cited by 3
Can Narcissistic Women Leaders Be Seen as Effective? A Multi‐Method Examination
Ames, J. B., Waldman, D. A., Kim, J., Owens, B. P., & Balthazard, P. A. (2025) · Journal of Organizational Behavior · doi:10.1002/job.70013 · Cited by 1
Yavuz, M., & Kahraman, S. (2025) · ShodhVichar Journal of Media and Mass Communication · doi:10.29121/shodhvichar.v1.i2.2025.28 · Cited by 1
Dong, J., & Xiao, X. (2025) · Personality and Individual Differences · doi:10.1016/j.paid.2025.113593 · Cited by 1
Understanding the underestimation of self-report weight: The roles of narcissism and accountability
Price, M. J., Douglas, L., Hepper, E. G., & Wilkinson, L. L. (2024) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0312691 · Cited by 1
A Homeostatic Perspective on Narcissistic Personality Dynamics
Zeigler‐Hill, V. (2021) · Psychological Inquiry · doi:10.1080/1047840x.2021.2007700 · Cited by 1
Gasparre, A., & Dimaggio, G. (2023) · QUADERNI DI PSICOTERAPIA COGNITIVA · doi:10.3280/qpc52-2023oa16174 · Cited by 1
Dark Personality Features and Employment
Czarna, A. Z., & Zajas, A. (2020) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-24612-3_2094 · Cited by 2
Empathic and Self-Regulatory Processes Governing Doping BehaviorPreprint
Boardley, I., Smith, A. L., Mills, J. P., Grix, J., & Wynne, C. (2017) · doi:10.31236/osf.io/dxqng · Cited by 1
Stories of Grief and Loss: How College Students Learned to Listen
McDonald, B. A. (2017) · Perspectives in pragmatics, psychology & philosophy · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-55759-5_10
Ghiron, M. (2017) · City Research Online (City University London)
Dark Personality Features and Employment
Czarna, A. Z., & Zajas, A. (2018) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-28099-8_2094-1 · Cited by 1
The Relationship of Pathological Narcissism to Empathic Functioning
McMaster, A. (2021) · CUNY Academic Works (City University of New York)
Kállay, É., & Pintea, S. (2021) · Studia Universitatis Babeș-Bolyai Psychologia-Paedagogia · doi:10.24193/subbpsyped.2021.2.01
Mota, S., Leckelt, M., Utesch, K., Nestler, S., Humberg, S., Schröder–Abé, M., Schmukle, S. C., & Back, M. D. (2018) · PsyArXiv (OSF Preprints) · doi:10.31234/osf.io/34hrj
LIFES ADDICTED TO THE INTERNET: NEW ADDICTIONS WITH THE ADVENT OF THE INTERNET
Çaycı, A. E., & Çaycı, B. (2022) · The Journal of Social Sciences · doi:10.29228/sobider.57643
Lopes, B., Yu, H., Bortolon, C., & Jaspal, R. (2021) · Routledge eBooks · doi:10.4324/9781003243601-1
Kiser, R. (2017) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/9781108238816.003
Aisa, A. U., Abraham, J., & Pramastyaningtyas, A. D. A. (2022) · Psikohumaniora Jurnal Penelitian Psikologi · doi:10.21580/pjpp.v7i2.11768
Personality and Group Functioning: Managing a Narcissist's Ego
Wagstaff, C. R. D. (2016) · doi:10.1002/9781394259625.ch6
Role of Empathy and Innovative Behavior of Bankers in Providing Credit to Entrepreneurs
Pandey, S., Kumar, R., & Kumar, M. (2024) · Accounting, finance, sustainability, governance & fraud · doi:10.1007/978-981-99-9145-7_3
Etiologija patološkog narcizma
Sveučilište u Zagrebu, F. F., & Pavlić, M. (2024) · Socijalna psihijatrija · doi:10.24869/spsih.2023.291
Czajkowska-Łukasiewicz, K., Iwon, K., Zajenkowska, A. M., & Smoleń, S. (2024) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.4895813
Perspective Chapter: Narcissism and Mindfulness – Individual and Relational Well-Being
Leavitt, C. E., & Hatch, H. D. (2025) · IntechOpen eBooks · doi:10.5772/intechopen.1008515
Empathy Deficits in the Development and Maintenance of Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Schramme, T. (2025) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/9781009445955.021
Silver tongues, plastic pens: modality-dependent persuasiveness in narcissists
Foster, J. D., Leunissen, J. M., Nevicka, B., & Sedikides, C. (2025) · Journal of Research in Personality · doi:10.1016/j.jrp.2025.104649
Ma, J., Liu, Z., & Zheng, W. (2026) · Journal of Research in Personality · doi:10.1016/j.jrp.2026.104708 · Cited by 1
Yang, K., & Mao, Y. (2026) · Journal of Literary Semantics · doi:10.1515/jls-2026-2004
Sun, J. (2026) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1771661
Mitgefühl in der Partnerschaft und in der Paartherapie
Aguilar‐Raab, C. (2026) · Familiendynamik · doi:10.21706/fd-51-2-128
Geukes), K. U. (., Leckelt, M., Nestler, S., Humberg, S., Schmukle, S., Schröder–Abé, M., Mota, S., & Back, M. D. (2024) · OSF Preprints (OSF Preprints)
Empathic and Self-Regulatory Processes Governing Doping BehaviorPreprint
Grix, J., Boardley, I., Mills, J. P., Smith, A. L., & Wynne, C. (2017) · OSF Preprints (OSF Preprints)
Tuned Out, Not Drawn In: Blunted Neural Sensitivity to Social Reward in Narcissism
Zhou, Z., Angus, D. J., Sedikides, C., & Kelley, N. J. (2026) · European Journal of Personality · doi:10.1177/08902070261449063
Sachse, R. (2026) · Psychotherapie: Praxis · doi:10.1007/978-3-662-72268-8_19
Misailidi, P., & Chaliassos, E. (2026) · The Journal of Early Adolescence · doi:10.1177/02724316261485874
Metadata
- Authors
- Hepper, E. G., Hart, C. M., & Sedikides, C.
- Affiliations
- University of Surrey (GB)
- University of Southampton (GB)
- Venue
- Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2014-05-30
- Volume
- 40
- Issue
- 9
- Pages
- 1079-1091
- ISSN
- 0146-1672 (ISSN-L)
- 1552-7433
- OpenAlex
- W2096836634
- Cited by
- 152
- References
- 73
- Citations by year
- 2026: 8 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 26 · 2017: 21 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 2
- FWCI
- 15.34
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- ePrints Soton (University of Southampton) (acceptedVersion)
- Open Research (University of Surrey) (submittedVersion)
- Surrey Research Insight Open Access (The University of Surrey) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Southampton Solent University
- University of Southampton
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Traits and Psychology
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Emotions and Moral Behavior
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Social and Intergroup Psychology
- Keywords
- narcissism, empathy, maladaptive narcissism, perspective taking, entitlement, exploitativeness, exhibitionism, autonomic arousal, heart rate, interpersonal relationships, empathy interventions
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
