Untangling the relationship between narcissistic traits and behavioral aggression using a FFM framework

Recent work on the construct of narcissism has identified two distinct subtypes: grandiose and vulnerable narcissism. The two variants share an antagonistic core, but differ from one another in traits related to neuroticism and extraversion. We sought to explore how the differences between the subtypes may manifest in relation to behavioral aggression in the laboratory following provocation as well as in relation to a variety of self-report measures of aggression. In the case of behavioral aggression following provocation, our results showed a three-way interaction between gender, threat condition, and vulnerable narcissism such that males who reported higher levels of vulnerable narcissism were more aggressive after being insulted. No significant effects were observed in relation to grandiose narcissism, contrary to our hypotheses. Important areas of convergence and divergence were observed among the self-report measures. The results are discussed in the context of previous work on narcissism and provocation. The findings suggest that neuroticism related traits relevant to vulnerable narcissism may play an important role in aggression after individuals are provoked