The Relationship Between Facets of Envy and Narcissism Subtype in a Non-Clinical Sample
This study examined the relationships between envy, measured as a unitary dispositional trait and as its two subtypes (benign and malicious envy), and types of narcissism (grandiose and vulnerable narcissism). CCNY undergraduates completed online self-report questionnaires and a virtual task in exchange for course credit. In addition to measures of grandiose narcissism (Narcissistic Personality Inventory and Narcissistic Grandiosity Scale), vulnerable narcissism (Pathological Narcissism Inventory), dispositional envy (Dispositional Envy Scale) and benign and malicious envy (Benign and Malicious Envy Scale), participants completed measures of self-reported envy in response to a fictional article intended to induce envy, as well as a novel computer-based task involving making choices between benefiting oneself and punishing the other when faced with higher-ranking opponents. Correlations between measures of narcissism and measures of envy were calculated, with grandiose narcissism expected to have a positive relationship with benign envy, as measured both by self-report tasks and the virtual task, while vulnerable narcissism was expected to have a positive relationship with both dispositional envy and malicious envy. No relationship was expected between grandiose narcissism and both dispositional envy and malicious envy, or between vulnerable narcissism and benign envy. Self-esteem and social desirability were included in the analysis as potential covariates. A sample of 108 undergraduate students (M age = 20.4, SD = 3.6) completed self-report measures and a virtual task intended to measure narcissism and envy. Both grandiose and vulnerable narcissism were positively associated with benign envy, malicious envy, and dispositional envy after false discovery rate control (grandiosity with benign envy r = .34, grandiosity with malicious envy r = .32, grandiosity with dispositional envy r = .40, vulnerability with benign envy r =.41, vulnerability with malicious envy r = .33, vulnerability with dispositional envy r = .50). In the filtered sample (N = 68), malicious envy was positively associated with a bias towards detracting points from higher-ranked opponents, especially those near in rank (r = .37, r = .29). A similar pattern was observed for dispositional envy against near, higher-ranked opponents specifically (r = .42). These associations were directionally stable with only modest attenuation when re-examined in the full sample. The predicted association between benign envy and a bias towards giving oneself points did not emerge, and links between vulnerable narcissism and a tendency to detract points from higher-ranked opponents were filter-dependent, attenuating towards zero in the full sample. Measure covariates and decision-curve slopes showed no FDR-robust associations. The present study helps to elucidate which aspects of envy are important in narcissism, an understudied personality trait that is increasingly understood as having a significant impact on individuals’ relationships and long-term functioning. This study also tested the validity of the virtual task, a potential new measure of benign and malicious envy which eliminates confounding variables such as social desirability that can emerge in self-report measures. By investigating the links between envy and narcissism, future research could help provide further assessment tools to accompany self-report measures, as well as explore potential envy-focused and interpersonal-based interventions during treatment of individuals with narcissistic traits. Findings suggest that trait envy accompanies narcissistic traits broadly, and that malicious and dispositional envy reliably map onto opponent-punishing choices, especially those who are near in rank. Future work should involve modifying the current task to increase participant engagement, as well as adding incentives in order to refine behavioural markers relevant to narcissistic personality disorder.
envy, narcissism, virtual task, personality disorders, Clinical Psychology
City University of New York - City College
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