Are Men Narcissistic? More So Than Women, Most Definitely

A healthy dose of self-confidence is a good thing, but an exaggerated sense of self-importance is not. 

Now, a new study shows that men might be genetically predispositioned to have a touch more of egotistical admiration than female counterparts.

"Narcissism is associated with various interpersonal dysfunctions, including an inability to maintain healthy long-term relationships, unethical behavior and aggression," said lead author Emily Grijalva, PhD, assistant professor of organization and human resources in the UB School of Management, in a news release. "At the same time, narcissism is shown to boost self-esteem, emotional stability and the tendency to emerge as a leader."

For the study, researchers looked at over 475,000 participants and 31 years of data. The findings showed that men consistently had higher narcissism scores, regardless of age.

Furthermore, the study authors discovered that men felt more at ease exploiting others and felt like they deserved certain priveliges. Another large disparity was seen in leadership and authority. Lastly, data on the participants between 1990 and 2013 did not change the level of narcissism throughout the study period.

Certain gender stereotypes might just explain why these results have been shaped in certain ways throughout the years. 

"Individuals tend to observe and learn gender roles from a young age, and may face backlash for deviating from society's expectations," Grijalva concluded. "In particular, women often receive harsh criticism for being aggressive or authoritative, which creates pressure for women, more so than for men, to suppress displays of narcissistic behavior."

With future research, the study authors hope to make more of a dent on the biological, cutural and social factors that contribute to these disparities. A better understanding may also help with increasing women's leadership roles in the future.

More information regarding the findings can be seen via the journal Psychological Bulletin.

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