Erica Hepper, the author of a new study on the subject, explains that narcissists are:
"A bit full of themselves, self-centered, and don't seem too concerned about the effects they have on other people."New research by Hepper and colleagues shows, though, that narcissists can be made to feel empathy, if given a nudge in the right direction (Hepper et al., 2014).
In the study, participants were split into two groups: 'low narcissists' and 'high narcissists'. Those high on narcissism in this study were not considered to have a clinical disorder.
Hepper continues:
"...people high in subclinical narcissism are psychologically healthy and well-adjusted, often even very successful, whereas people with NPD [narcissistic personality disorder] are inflexible and volatile, and don't manage day-to-day life well."Both groups were then given a passage to read which described a relationship break-up. As expected, the narcissists showed no empathy towards the story's protagonists, no matter how severe the story. This is normal for narcissists, whose interest in others is limited to garnering an audience for their antics, or for exploitation.
In another study, though, the narcissists were given a nudge in the right direction.
High- and low-narcissists then watched a 10-minute video of a woman — identified as Susan — describing her experience as a victim of domestic violence.
Sometimes, beforehand, they were instructed to empathise, with the following instruction:
"Imagine how Susan feels. Try to take her perspective in the video, imagining how she is feeling about what is happening..." (Hepper et al., 2014).When the high-narcissists were specifically told to imagine how the victim felt, their empathy suddenly kicked in. In comparison, those low on narcissism didn't need to be told, so instructing them to take the victim's perspective had no additional effect.
The researchers even confirmed these results physiologically, to check the narcissists weren't just saying what they thought was expected of them. The physiological measures also suggested they really were empathising, after being instructed to do so.
Hepper thinks this simple technique of reminding narcissists to take another person's point of view can be useful:
"If we encourage narcissists to consider the situation from their teammate or friend's point of view, they are likely to respond in a much more considerate or sympathetic way."It's not that narcissists can't feel for others, it's that they need reminding:
"...the current findings [...] imply that narcissists' low empathy is automatic (instead of consciously suppressed or under-reported), and also that perspective-taking induces genuine change in the way that narcissists process a distressed person's experience." (Hepper et al., 2014).
Reader Comments
The theory of everything is not the same as everything.
Stephen Hawking is dead.
This means he is no longer supported by his theory. His theory has collapsed.
He is out there though somewhere, looking for a new theory.
When he finds it, he'll likely be very sure to let you know.
He or one of his friends.
And wouldn't you like to ride in their balloon?
ned
I don't know, is it?....[Link]
I fear for your soul HFL, I really do...
I contrast Naricissists with Pyschopaths - i.e., we are all nature nuture combos (more nature / genes than policitically correct to acknowledge) but I've known some N's to acquire the ability to love by having a child.
As to the P-paths, I long ago learned to just make a cross with my fingers and walk away, (backwards).
R.C.
I try to ne'er be the one to throw the first stone, for my best contibutions to this existence/life that has somehow been allowed/made for me is are fragile as the crystals of barely frozen water over a pond dirtier than I'd care to think..
(I.e., There but the grace of God, go I.)
R.C.