Narcissism and aggression in impulsive-premeditated violent criminals

Abstract

Objective To explore the characteristics of narcissism in a sample of violent criminal and analyze the relationship between narcissism and impulsive-premeditated violent aggression. Methods A total of 88 violent criminal were administered by means of cluster random sampling with the Chinese version of the Impulsive-premeditated Aggression Scale and the Narcissistic Personality Questionnaire. Results (1)Comparing with the impulsive violent criminal, premeditated violent criminal had higher level of Overt narcissism, and the difference was statistically significant(59.77±10.89, 54.67±10.15; P<0.05). (2) Overt narcissism had significantly positive correlation with premeditated aggression(r=0.560; P<0.01); and covert narcissism had significantly positive correlation with impulsive aggression(r=0.440; P<0.01). (3)The authority and self-admiration traits of overt narcissism had significantly positive prediction to premeditated aggression(β=0.442, P<0.01; β=0.297, P<0.05); The vulnerability trait of covert narcissism has significantly positive prediction to impulsive aggression(β=0.526, P<0.01). Conclusion Overt narcissism can result in premeditated aggression; Covert narcissism can result in impulsive aggression. Key words: Overt narcissism; Covert narcissism; Impulsive aggression; Premeditated aggression