Narcissism Driven by Insecurity, Not Grandiose Sense of Self, New Psychology Research Shows

A 2021 study published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences reveals that narcissism is primarily driven by insecurity rather than a grandiose sense of self. Conducted by researchers at New York University, including senior author Pascal Wallisch and lead author Mary Kowalchyk, the study introduces a novel scale called PRISN to measure performative behaviors aimed at masking low self-worth. The findings suggest that narcissistic behaviors—such as excessive self-promotion on social media—are compensatory strategies to cope with inner insecurity, particularly among those with vulnerable narcissism, and are distinct from the self-assured traits seen in psychopathy. This research provides a deeper psychological understanding of narcissism and its link to social validation and impression management.