SUMMER RESEARCH AND CREATIVITY GRANTS

Many more people show classic symptoms of narcissism than merit a diagnosis of Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD). This has affected the whole of society, but potentially more importantly, it has invaded the realm of romantic interaction. This study seeks to fill gaps in the current research by exploring how narcissists interact within romantic relationships during problem solving discussions. Participants were 38 adult married or cohabiting couples who reported on their relationship’s security and functioning, and who participated in two problem solving discussions. Discussions were videotaped and coded for the presence of narcissistic behaviors. Those partners who engaged in greater narcissistic behavior during the discussions reported greater insecurity and greater aggression in their relationships. Findings highlight the importance of narcissism in romantic relationships, and shed light on how narcissism may affect interpersonal interactions. Background Narcissism is perhaps one of the most recognizable personality traits in society today. If one were to ask, for example, if someone can name a narcissistic individual, they are likely to com