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Psychology.
Grandiose v. Vulnerable Narcissism.
The overt and covert sides of narcissistic personality disorder.
Grandiose and vulnerable narcissism are not official subtypes because researchers have yet to find common ground on the subject; also, people with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) can fluctuate between grandiose and vulnerable states.
“ … grandiose individuals experience bouts of vulnerability whereas … dispositionally vulnerable individuals tend to have higher mean levels of vulnerability and lower mean levels of grandiosity [showing] substantial variability in each domain.” — Elizabeth A. Edershile.
Research shows grandiose and vulnerable subtypes exist within narcissism across all age groups from children through to adolescence and adults. Several traits bring VN’s and GN’s together to form a primary diagnosis of NPD, though their differences and their similarities with other personality disorders have caused researchers to consider alternative diagnoses.
A common misconception with narcissism is that they’re all loud, vain, and haughty characters. However, those are the grandiose (GN) types, who, unlike vulnerable (VN) types, do not hide their arrogance and self-entitlement behind a shy and humble exterior.
The grandiose types are the more obvious or overt narcissists while the vulnerable types are covert. VN’s still desire to be seen as special and have a high sense of entitlement, but instead of making outright statements and demands, they play the victim or hero and behave cold, shy or vulnerable.
A Common Core Between Grandiose and Vulnerable Narcissism.
VN’s and GN’s must fit five or more of the nine criteria for NPD to be diagnosed. Those criteria, and more specifically, a need for admiration and status, self-entitlement, and a self-absorbed, callous attitude bring VN’s and GN’s together.
To achieve the attention or perception of status they desire, both GNs and VNs will pay higher donations when donor…
