Ever wonder how that self-absorbed teenager next door, who couldn’t handle criticism, transformed into a considerate adult?
A new study offers an explanation: Narcissism has an expiration date.
Lifelong Patterns
The scientific review, one of the largest of its kind, offers a comprehensive analysis of narcissism’s developmental trajectory across a person’s lifespan, which is crucial for understanding its effect on individual behavior and relationships.- Agentic: assertiveness, boldness, and confidence
- Antagonistic: arrogance, deceitfulness, and entitlement, exemplifying the disagreeable and antisocial facets of narcissism
- Neurotic: emotional dysregulation, hypersensitivity, and shame proneness
The relative preservation of agentic narcissism, considered the “healthiest” type, was a positive finding, Keith Campbell, professor of psychology at the University of Georgia who was not associated with the study, said in an interview with The Epoch Times.
However, the research also uncovered a dichotomy: The relative level of narcissism compared with peers remains stable, meaning those who are more narcissistic in childhood often maintain that status into adulthood.
Why Narcissism Withers With Age
Psychologists have proposed several theories to explain why narcissism decreases with age, as reflected in the meta-analysis.Theory No. 1
A widely recognized theory posits that as people take on roles in relationships, work, and society, their personalities adapt to help them succeed. Over time, this increases traits such as agreeableness, conscientiousness, and emotional stability; essentially, one matures and leaves narcissistic characteristics behind.Theory No. 2
As people age, they shift their focus from seeking new experiences to maintaining emotional stability and close relationships. This shift reduces their desire for social status, leading to a decline in narcissism.Theory No. 3
Narcissism changes with age because of its varying developmental periods. In adolescence and early adulthood, narcissistic traits can be more adaptive as these stages are marked by self-focused attention and identity exploration.Theory No. 4
As people age, they encounter more failures and rejections, such as unmet goals, relationship breakdowns, and career setbacks. These accumulated experiences challenge their inflated self-perception and sense of superiority, leading to a more realistic and less narcissistic view of themselves.The humbling effect of failure is part of maturing, Emily Grijalva, associate professor at the University at Buffalo in New York, whose research focuses on narcissism, told The Epoch Times.
“Narcissism has been described as a very characteristic lack of maturity,” she said. “Part of maturing is really realizing that we can be vulnerable and open to failure, and so as part of that realization helps to degrade narcissism over time.”
Study Limitations
While the study’s primary conclusion is that narcissism declines with age, “exactly why that happens is a mystery,” according to Mr. Chopik. Although the paper proposes various possible explanations, the researchers have yet to empirically test them to determine the precise mechanism behind the decline.Also, most of the data analyzed in this study came from Western cultural contexts, including North America, Europe, and New Zealand, with only one sample from China. This geographical limitation highlights the need for future research to examine narcissism across a broader range of countries and cultures to assess the global consistency of these findings. Additionally, the samples were predominantly white or European, restricting the ability to analyze differences between ethnic groups.
The Double-Edged Sword of Narcissistic Traits
Narcissism can have both positive and negative consequences, according to experts. On the positive side, narcissistic people, particularly in adolescence, often enjoy initial peer popularity, dating success, and leadership positions.“There are parts of your life where you maybe could have benefited from some irrational confidence, you know, maybe you were thinking too much,” Mr. Chopik said.
However, these advantages are often short-lived.
“There is some evidence we like narcissists at first, but then their star fades as their poisonous interpersonal tendencies arise,” Brent Roberts, a personality psychologist and professor of psychology at the University of Illinois–Urbana-Champaign, wrote in an email to The Epoch Times.
While some narcissism might be acceptable in young adulthood, “when people get older, it’s just less effective,” Mr. Campbell said.
But as Mr. Chopik noted, most of us will “age out of it—luckily.”