Bases of Entitlement Among the Narcissistic Subtypes

Social and Behavioral Sciences; Social Work; Law: 1st Place (The Ohio State University Edward F. Hayes Graduate Research Forum)This research examines whether two people can be highly entitled but arrive at that conclusion in different ways. Using a lens of trait narcissism, we predicted that grandiose narcissists (GNs) hold superiority-based entitlement whereas vulnerable narcissists (VNs) hold inferiority-based entitlement. Participants across two studies (ns = 135-280) completed narcissism and entitlement measures. Study 1 participants selected domains (e.g., admiration, power) to which they felt entitled and indicated reasons why. Study 2 tested mediation models including measures of superiority (i.e. perceived status) and inferiority (i.e. perceived victimhood). Both narcissistic subtypes reported high levels of entitlement. However, GNs based their entitlement on inherent superiority (e.g. "I am naturally deserving"). This perception mediates associations between GN and entitlement. In contrast, VNs felt entitled based on their perception of being unfairly worse off (e.g. "I have been disadvantaged in the past"). This perception mediates associations between VN and entitlement. This work furthers theoretical understanding on a core trait shared by the narcissistic subtypes and illuminates differences in how people conclude that they are deserving. We discuss potential psychological consequences of superiority- vs. inferiority-based entitlement as well as ways this distinction may inform practical application.A five-year embargo was granted for this item