Twenge et al. (2008) - Egos inflating over time: A cross-temporal meta-analysis of the NPI

Question 1

Study method

Answer 1

Cross-temporal meta-analysis of articles about narcisissm using NPI in students.

Question 2

Characteristics of narcissism

Answer 2

1. Positive and inflated view of the self (especially on agentic traits)
2. Efforts aimed at enhancing the self (on costs of others)

Question 3

Literature says:

Answer 3

Increased individualistic societies ‘should’ cause a rise in narcissism over new generations as individualism leads to rise individual-centered traits.

Question 4

Results/discussion

Answer 4

1. There is a systematic increase in NPI-scores for American college students over time.
2. Generation is a better predictor for NPI-scores than gender because gender differences in narcissism decreased, with women having become more narcissistic.