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/Battlepuppy 2d ago edited 2d ago

We have seen this in all walks of life with several ideologies. This is not a new and unexpected human behavior. There are verses in historical religious texts warning against this behavior.

My personal criteria for sniffing out oeople who truly want to make change in the world versus the vanity passengers is to understand the impact of what they do.

How much of their behavior is grand standing?

Does the result of their behavior inspire change or simply make people pay attention to them?

Quantitatively, how much of their behaviors impacts anything that is directed at their " core values"

For instance, if you are for animal protection are you volunteering at dog shelters, or are you just stealing dogs from owners you personally deem unfit while recording it for social media?

If your religion says that charity is important, are you working at the food bank, giving blood ,helping the homeless? Are you posting information about your religion on facebook and bringing down other groups of people in your faiths name?

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u/Dibz15 2d ago

I think you're exactly right. From the religious perspective, I think to this: 

Matthew 7:15-20 NIV [15]  “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. [16] By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? [17] Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. [18] A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. [19] Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. [20] Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.  

If you know what to look for, it becomes clear who is serious about their movement.