Structural Relationships Among the Revised Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory and Grandiose and Vulnerable Narcissism
Year: 2017
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Research shows that grandiosity and vulnerability are distinct aspects of narcissism. The Contemporary Clinical Model (CCM) of narcissism suggests that individuals fluctuate between grandiose narcissism (GN) and vulnerable narcissism (VN). The authors examine the relative contributions of the Behavioral Approach System (BAS), the Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS), and the Fight-Flight-Freeze System (FFFS) in the Revised Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory of Personality (r-RST) to GN and VN. Few studies examine the r-RST, and even fewer examine the VN and GN distinction. To remain consistent with the CCM, structural equation modeling was used to account for individuals' relative levels of VN and GN. Across two independent samples (Ns = 854 and 258), results indicated that GN is associated with higher BAS scores and that VN is associated with higher BIS scores. Relations among GN, VN, and FFFS were inconsistent between samples. Implications of the r-RST results are interpreted within the context of the CCM.
Source: Journal of Personality Disorders
Institutions: University of Central Florida, University of South Alabama
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2754715358