People Who Read People: A Behavior and Psychology Podcast Are you a narcissist? The psychology and spectrum of narcissism
10 snips
Jul 12, 2025 Craig Malkin, a licensed psychologist and author of 'Rethinking Narcissism,' delves into the fascinating spectrum of narcissism. He explains how healthy self-enhancement exists alongside pathological traits. Malkin talks about the dangers of labeling others as narcissists and critiques common psychological tools measuring narcissism. He explores how experiences and relationships shape narcissistic behaviors, revealing the complex interplay between narcissism and vulnerability, and discusses the impact of self-image on mental health.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Malkin's Maternal Inspiration
- Craig Malkin was inspired to study narcissism by the paradoxical behavior of his mother as she aged.
- This personal experience led him to explore narcissism beyond the typical negative stereotypes.
Cultural Bias Against Narcissism
- Our culture often holds a puritanical, intolerant view of self-centeredness and narcissism.
- This leads to disowning these traits in ourselves and projecting them onto others, fueling misunderstandings.
NPI Test Limitations
- The Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI) mixes healthy and pathological narcissism, making scores misleading.
- Low scores can reflect unhealthy self-hiding rather than virtue, complicating interpretations.
