Exploring the Relationship Between Narcissism and Extreme Altruism

Abstract

Extreme altruism is defined as prosocial behavior that violates social norms or the law. Little research has been done on this phenomenon, although research into related areas suggests that, surprisingly, extreme altruistic activities may be associated with traits traditionally associated with narcissism. This relationship was explored by comparing members of the public, people involved in prosocial activities within socially and legally accepted realms, and members of the Real-Life Superhero (RLSH) movement. The RLSH movement is a subculture whose prosocial-directed activities often exceed social norms and legal constraints. These include patrolling and conducting community and citizen police work in superhero-inspired uniforms, which has on several occasions resulted in altercations with other civilians or with law enforcement. The results suggest that there is a relationship between certain traits within the narcissism spectrum and the proclivity to engage in extreme altruism. These traits include grandiose fantasy, self-sacrificing self-enhancement, and devaluing. Furthermore, these traits are expressed at significantly higher levels in people who engage in extreme altruism more often. Finally, a model based predominantly on narcissism indicated a strong ability to predict group membership among the three groups. The findings suggest that a reconceptualization that reflects the capacity of these traits to be expressed in a prosocial or antisocial behavior is needed to explain this relationship.

Taking the chance!–Interindividual differences in rule-breaking

“…The current study provides a broad perspective on the interindividual differences in rulebreaking by investigating how personality links with behaviours and cognitive processes in rule-breakers and rule-followers. Analogous to previous literature, we found that grandiose is more pronounced in rule-breakers than rule-followers [105]. Grandiose narcissism is characterized by self-importance, feelings of superiority, as well as exhibitionism [100,106].…”

“…Indeed, narcissistic leaders are susceptible to violate norms as they are more likely to be innovative, but also to engage in unethical rule-breaking [79]. Moreover, grandiose narcissism has also been related to pro-social rule-breaking because individuals who are narcissists have the psychological need for grandiose fantasy, sacrificing, self-enhancement, and devaluing rules [105]. Narcissistic individuals believe that there are no limits to achieve their goals and that they are in control of their destiny, which makes them more prompt to violate norms to benefit themselves [107][108][109].…”

‘My life felt like a cage without an exit’ – narratives of childhood under the abuse of a narcissistic mother

“…When comparing children born in the 2000s to their grandparents, Brown (2017) noted that " [m]illennials (born between early 1980s and 2004) are the most narcissistic". On the other hand, the demands of the modern life may easily lead to someone labeled as narcissistic when trying to advance in life without showing altruism or empathy (White, Szabo, & Tiliopoulos, 2018). To some extent, this kind of behavior is natural in this century.…”

Perfectionism and Attachment Styles vs. Types of Entering into Interpersonal Relationships

“…Potwierdzają to badania fenga, Zhanga i Zhonga (2022), którzy wykazali, że zachowania altruistyczne, jakie w przypadku omawianych badań prezentuje styl Ciepły-Zgodny, nie korelowały z negatywnym perfekcjonizmem. Ponadto w badaniach potwierdzono, że skrajnemu altruizmowi często towarzyszy zaburzenie narcystyczne, w skład którego wchodzi wielkościowość (White, Szabo, Tiliopoulos, 2018). Narcystyczne osobowości wykazują także wiele empatycznych cech, które pomagają tworzyć im ciepły wizerunek (Jezierska-Geburczyk, 2020).…”