Narcissism Predicts Support for Hierarchy (At Least When Narcissists Think They Can Rise to the Top)

Abstract

Five studies tested the relationship between narcissism and support for hierarchy. Narcissism was associated with endorsing group-based hierarchy, income inequality, and hierarchy in business (Studies 1a–1b) and with liking organizations with a hierarchical structure (Studies 2a–2b). Analyses suggested that more narcissistic participants’ preference for a hierarchy may have been due at least partly to their current high standing in that hierarchy (Studies 1a–1b) or their expectation that they will rise in rank (Studies 2a–2b). When participants learned about an organization where it was possible or impossible to rise in rank, there was a positive relationship between narcissism and support for hierarchy if it was possible to rise in rank, whereas the same relationship was negative if it was not possible to rise in rank (Study 3). These studies provide evidence consistent with the idea that narcissistic individuals prefer hierarchies because they are or think they will be on the top.