Finding meaning in the mirror: The existential pursuits of narcissists

Abstract

Narcissism refers to a self-centered, self-aggrandizing, dominant, entitled, and manipulative orientation. Narcissists are high on agency (i.e., have inflated perceptions of themselves) and low on communion (i.e., have deflated perceptions of others). This chapter proposes that narcissists rely on agency to seek, attain, and sustain meaning in life. Narcissists may derive meaning from at least three agentic domains: achievement, materialism, and reflections of glory. Narcissists pursue achievements, conspicuous consumption, and glory reflection, because these pursuits inject their self-system with positivity by making them feel successful, special, and mighty. Alternatively, they may do so in an effort to compensate for inner fragility.