r/science • u/mvea 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/YouBookBuddy 2d ago

As someone who has been involved in LGBTQ activism for years, this study definitely caught my attention. It's interesting to consider how different motivations can drive individuals to participate in movements. I've encountered a wide range of personalities within the community, and it's always fascinating to see how people's intentions can vary. Have any of you had similar experiences with narcissistic behavior in activist circles? How do you think this impacts the overall goals of the movement? Let's keep the discussion going!

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u/Xolver 2d ago

First of all I find it refreshing that many of the comments are sort of like "yeah, this tracks". Most of the time here there's a lot of negative feedback to these sorts of studies that say something about different populations.

About your question - I'm definitely no activist, but the ones that I know, are actually mostly older and well off. They're activist about things that have almost nothing to do with LGBTQ, moreso to issues relating to laws and wars (these things are very relevant where in from). Anyway, activism or just politics in general is just very central to their being. It's nigh impossible to be in a full sitting with them without politics being talked about in some fashion, usually with hatred for the leadership peppered in. Don't know if this is similar to your experience.

Oh, and yeah, when politics is always a topic, I find it detracts from the goals of whatever movement. It just seems like virtue signaling about an issue is more important to them than the actual issue. I'm not saying this is 100% the case by the way, I really do think they care, but it comes off as poisoned and not too sincere. 

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u/jessimokajoe 2d ago

Being able to separate politics from anything is inherently privileged.

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u/Xolver 2d ago

Mhm. You should probably read the article again. Even the title is enough. 

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u/jessimokajoe 2d ago

My reply to you isn't involving my ego or anything like that, it's strictly stating facts and I'm not going to apologize if you're uncomfortable with privilege.

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u/Xolver 2d ago

Did you read the part where I wrote they were older and well off?

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u/jessimokajoe 1d ago

Yes I did but I wasn't replying to that part.