Date of Award

Spring 5-2017

Degree Type

Honors College Thesis

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Joye Anestis

Advisor Department

Psychology

Abstract

The present study investigated the established relationship between narcissistic personality traits and aggression (e.g., Barnet & Powell, 2016; Baumeister et al., 2000; Bushman & Baumeister, 1998). Specifically, the study aimed to understand this relationship in a more nuanced fashion and proposed that 1) the relationship is indirect through self-esteem (mediation) and 2) the relationship is stronger in males than in females (moderation). Participants were 269 undergraduate students from the University of Southern Mississippi. A battery of self-report measures [Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI; Raskin & Terry, 1988), Pathological Narcissism Inventory (PNI; Pincus et al., 2009), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES; Rosenberg, 1965), and Reactive-Proactive Aggression Questionnaire (RPQ; Raine, Dodge, Loeber, Gatzke-Kopp, Lynam, Reynolds, Stouthamer-Loeber, & Liu, 2006)] was administered online to participants. Results suggest that low self-esteem mediated the relationship between narcissism and aggression, but only as measured by the NPI. The gender moderation hypothesis was not supported. These findings suggest a pathway for predicting aggression in individuals high in narcissistic personality traits through self-esteem.

Included in

Psychology Commons

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