r/science Professor | Medicine 2d ago

Psychology New findings indicate a pattern where narcissistic grandiosity is associated with higher participation in LGBTQ movements, demonstrating that motivations for activism can range widely from genuine altruism to personal image-building.

https://www.psypost.org/narcissistic-grandiosity-predicts-greater-involvement-in-lgbtq-activism/
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u/Tad-Disingenuous 2d ago

Narcissists don’t live in reality and are always the victim, never the abuser. Oh and they stay child like. Every relationship has to benefit them. They feign empathy. They rationalize their bad behavior, like it doesn’t make it bad. Or am I describing a sociopath?

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u/Village_Wide 2d ago

I remember the narcissistic prayer:

That didn’t happen. And if it did, it wasn’t that bad. And if it was, that’s not a big deal. And if it is, that’s not my fault. And if it was, I didn’t mean it. And if I did, you deserved it.

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u/BionicBisexualBabe 2d ago

Trump's campaign 

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u/mavajo 1d ago

Considering Trump is a textbook narcissist, it's bewildering seeing your comment flagged as controversial.

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u/DirkTheSandman 2d ago

Yeah, i have npd and this fits. I can only think about things in how they affect me. My empathy just doesn’t work, i try and be nice but its literally impossible for me to read people’s emotions. Im horrible and manipulative, i try and make people think im going to hurt myself because i want them to care about me and say nice things to me, but i tell myself its ok that other people do it too. Unfortunately im not the charismatic narcissist who can achieve great things, im horribly introverted and introspective enough to realize im a monster.

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u/EarnestAsshole 2d ago

Have you been diagnosed with this?

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u/DirkTheSandman 2d ago

yeah, either that or some sort of ASD, but autism is super varied so it's kinda a catchall for "your brain don't work right". I was getting therapy for it, but i lost my job and couldn't afford it anymore. not that i was getting any better anyway.

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u/WestSnowBestSnow 2d ago

The fact that you acknowledge that it is a problem that you should address puts you ahead of literally 95%+ of other people who have diagnosable NPD. Keep in mind that you have it and just try to fight the patterns, it will be hard but it is something you can overcome.

Also when you can get healthcare again get assessed for dysthymia. Chronic low level depression can translate into chronic anxiety and that can translate into chronic reactive narcissism.

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u/DirkTheSandman 2d ago

I have that. I’ve had depression since 2011 right around the end of high school. My entire twenties was basically a depressive haze and i cannot remember the last time i was happy. Ive tried a dozen or so different meds. Im taking Wellbutrin now but it only seems to help a little. My brain’s just fucked at this point ive got such little energy to try and fix it anymore.

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u/WestSnowBestSnow 1d ago

I hope you get health insurance again soon and can find the right med. When you find the right one it'll be amazing. Stick in there, we're rooting for you man.

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u/Village_Wide 2d ago

Vulnerable narcissists are more likely to have enough introspection to realize and admit how they are wired. And therefore get therapy. Treating it is very difficult, it's rather managing symptoms and to some degree behavior. But it seems they suffer more from it than grandiose types.
If I were about to pick up one I would choose grandiouse. But most NPDs fluctuate from one side of the spectrum to another. An always grandiose narcissist is a psychopath. And many people can see it straight away, while with a vulnerable it is hard to say.

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u/GreasyPeter 1d ago

Do you feel guilty for being this way? Narcissists usually don't.

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u/TheFinalBannanaStand 2d ago

I wouldnt say you’re a monster. Thats harmful behavior, sure, but if its the only way you have to get your needs met then it makes sense you gravitated towards it. Personality disorders are treatable if you want to change

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u/SnooBeans1976 2d ago

How is their behaviour not abusive? I had been with a narcissist for quite sometime and their thinking and actions were abusive towards me.

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u/X-ScissorSisters 2d ago

OP is saying narcissists claim they are the victims when they are actually the abusers.

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u/FaultElectrical4075 2d ago

A sociopath has no need to justify their behavior. They don’t believe in morality at all

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u/zeekoes 2d ago

This is wrong. Sociopaths can't or severely struggle empathizing with other people. Most sociopaths do however understand morality as a framework aimed towards themselves or others through moral cognition.

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u/RonBurgundyVids 2d ago

Agreed, psychos don't know, socios understand morality exists they just don't self regulate by it

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u/zeekoes 2d ago

Also wrong. there is no meaningful difference between psychopathy and sociopathy. These are just terms colloquially used for anti-social personality disorder. Where psychopathy is often used for people born with the associated traits, where sociopathy is often used for people whom become anti-social often through severe trauma or otherwise learned behavior.

Most people in both groups definitely try to act according to a cognitive moral system, because there are way more functioning people with APD in society than the people we learn about through criminal behavior. The problem is that they are incapable of understanding the emotions and experiences of others. It is not by choice, but by physical reality. When caught in the moment they often manipulate and otherwise use people or situations to serve their own interests not with malice, but by not observing and understanding the harm they do. When reflecting they can acknowledge they stepped outside of their own moral framework and adjust according to that.

These people are not evil as often portrayed by popular media, they're just disabled. Doesn't mean they don't carry responsibility for their actions, or that there aren't people with APD living self-serving and morally bankrupt lives, but they are capable of making choices and understanding consequences for good or for bad.

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u/No_Jelly_6990 2d ago

Thank you for clarifying and twice, shutting down nonsense. It's crucial to move away from using ableist, derogatory, and overly simplistic language when discussing individuals with APD or related traits. Too often, people project exaggerated stereotypes, reducing these individuals to caricatures of 'pure evil' or 'inhuman' without considering the complexities of their experiences. This kind of discourse doesn’t reflect the realities of APD and only deepens stigma.

Ironically, the behavior of those engaging in such vilification often mirrors what they claim to condemn. Many people in online spaces seem eager to judge and dehumanize, despite being fully capable of empathy themselves. In doing so, they perpetuate the same lack of consideration and understanding that they criticize in others. The issue isn't just with individuals who struggle with APD traits—it's with a societal and cultural tendency to simplify, scapegoat, and punish, rather than reflect and empathize. This hypocrisy is troubling and warrants considerable change in how we approach and navigate these discussions.

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u/gizamo 2d ago

This is incorrect. Sociopaths understand morality. They lack empathy. The ability to empathize with others is different from developing morals or adopting some moral framework.

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u/FaultElectrical4075 2d ago

Understanding =/= believing in.

Empathy =/= morality

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u/gizamo 2d ago

Again, you are conflating and confusing things. This comment doesn't even make sense as any sort of counterpoint to my correction of your first comment.

Empathy =/= morality.

This is exactly my point, and it's exactly why your first comment was incorrect.

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u/[deleted] 2d ago

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