Expanding the Nomological Network: Entitlement and Associated Constructs

Consistent with emerging empirical concern with transcending self-interest, the construct of psychological entitlement has become a topic of empirical attention. Entitlement, the sense that one is more deserving than others, has been shown to be associated with multiple negative interpersonal and mental health outcomes. Although it has become a focus of recent research, outcomes, moderators, and mediators of entitlement have yet to be clearly delineated. The current study examined the relationships between psychological entitlement and several potentially related constructs: dogmatism, knowledge certainty, resiliency, self-efficacy, modesty, and how one views of the self in relation to others. Results of the study indicated entitlement was significantly positively associated with knowledge certainty and negatively associated with modesty. Entitlement was also significantly related to how one perceived the self in relation to others. Such findings and other significant results, including demographic effects on entitlement, are discussed in further detail. Implications for further research on transcending self-interest are also addressed