So, what causes narcissism? Twin studies show a strong genetic component, although we don’t know which genes are involved. But environment matters too; parents who put their child on a pedestal can foster grandiose narcissism, and cold, controlling parents can contribute to vulnerable narcissism. Narcissism also seems to be higher in cultures that value individuality and self-promotion.
In the United States, for example, narcissism as a personality trait has been rising since the 1970s, when the communal focus of the ’60s gave way to the self-esteem movement and a rise in materialism. More recently, social media has multiplied the possibilities for self-promotion. Though it’s worth noting that there’s no clear evidence that social media causes narcissism, rather it provides narcissists a means to seek social status and attention.
So, can narcissists improve on those negative traits? Yes, anything that promotes honest reflection on their own behavior and caring for others, like psychotherapy or practicing compassion towards others, can be helpful. The difficulty is that it can be challenging for people with Narcissistic Personality Disorder to keep working at self-betterment. For a narcissist, self-reflection is hard from an unflattering angle.
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