Nobody wants to establish a long-term relationship with a narcissistic partner. However, scientists have discovered a significant sign indicating when your partner feels excessively important. Research has shown that narcissists tend to feel more excluded compared to their less interested peers. If your partner regularly mentions feeling “excluded,” this could be a crucial clue. Narcissism can manifest in different ways, but researchers often focus on “grandiose narcissism.” These traits include entitlement, desire for dominance, strong admiration seeking, and pursuit of status and recognition.
After analyzing survey data from 22,000 households in Germany, the relationship between narcissism and exclusion was examined. The research revealed that individuals with high levels of narcissism experience exclusion more frequently. Researchers conducted a two-week study with 323 participants.
Participants recorded moments when they felt excluded through a mobile app. Lead author Christiane Büttner from the University of Basel stated, “The feeling of exclusion is a subjective experience based on an individual’s perception of social cues. Some individuals may feel excluded despite not actually being excluded intentionally.”
Studies indicate that individuals with high narcissism are more sensitive to exclusion cues, thus feeling excluded more often. This situation can lead to tensions in workplaces or social groups. Dr. Büttner mentioned, “Individuals with high narcissistic traits may experience more conflicts in their social circles due to higher probabilities of exclusion and feeling excluded.”
Research also found a connection between narcissism and belief in conspiracy theories. A study at Kent University revealed that individuals with a tendency to believe in conspiracy theories are selfish and attention-seeking. Particularly, individuals with low self-esteem and high levels of narcissism tend to believe in conspiracy theories.
These findings help us understand the complex interaction between narcissism and social experiences. They also demonstrate how these traits can impact dynamics in social relationships. The research results were published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.