Narcissistic Rivalry Research Articles

Affective contingencies of narcissism.

Several theories propose that narcissism is rooted in affective contingencies. Given narcissists' focus on power, these contingencies should be strong in the power domain but not in the affiliation domain. We systematically investigated narcissists' contingencies and explored whether these contingencies might link narcissism to social behavior. In a multimethod longitudinal study, we assessed unidimensional narcissism levels as well as two main narcissistic strategies: Admiration and rivalry. We measured 209 participants' affective contingencies (i.e., affective responses to satisfying and frustrating experiences of power and affiliation) via self-reports (n = 207) and facial electromyography (fEMG, n = 201). In a 1-year follow-up, we observed participants' power- and affiliation-related behaviors in the laboratory (valid n = 123). Results indicated that narcissism was linked to increased affective reactivity to power, and this pattern was present for both admiration and rivalry. Narcissism was unrelated to affective reactivity to affiliation, with an important exception: Individuals with higher levels of narcissistic rivalry exhibited decreased reactivity toward satisfactions and increased reactivity toward frustrations of affiliation. Results were more robust for self-reported than for fEMG-indexed reactivity. Although overall narcissism and narcissistic admiration were related to power-related behaviors 1 year later, affective contingencies did not generally account for these links. These findings inform why narcissists have a relatively strong power motive and why some narcissists high in rivalry have a relatively weak affiliation motive. More broadly, these findings provide insight into the affective contingencies underlying personality traits and call for research on the contexts in which these contingencies guide behavior. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

The Two Faces of CEO Narcissism and Affordable Loss: The Rivalry-Versus-Admiration Perspective

Effectuation approach, defined as both process and principles guiding decision-making logic at the firm level, has attracted entrepreneurship scholars’ attention for two decades. The majority of research focuses on effectuation approach as a whole, and few studies have explored related subconstructs, such as affordable loss. However, there is a scanty of empirical exanimations on single principle, which benefits an in-depth understanding of effectuation approach. Hence, based on the rivalry-versus-admiration perspective, this study investigates the relationship between CEO narcissism and affordable loss. On the one hand, the influence of individual personality differences on effectuation principles has been addressed and verified by empirical support. A firm’s affordable loss behaviors indicate the cognitive mechanism underlying effectuation principles. On the other hand, this study discusses the boundary of effectuation approach by including two powerful moderators, namely, perceived uncertainty and slack resources. Using data collected from 126 Chinese enterprises, our results indicate that under low perceived uncertainty and high organizational slack, CEOs high in narcissistic admiration are more likely to take on affordable loss investments, while narcissistic rivalry CEOs prefer to reduce affordable loss activities to secure their status—assertions that fully support our hypotheses. Management implications and future directions are interpreted in the discussion.

How entrepreneurs' dual narcissism affects new venture growth: the roles of personal initiative and learning from entrepreneurial failure

PurposeBased on a personality-behavior-outcome framework, this study analyzes how entrepreneurs' dual narcissism (i.e. narcissistic admiration and rivalry) affects new venture growth (NVG) through learning from entrepreneurial failure (LFEF) and discusses the moderating effect of personal initiative on the relationship between dual narcissism and LFEF.Design/methodology/approachA total of 294 entrepreneurs from different cities and industries in China were selected as the research sample. The mediation effect was examined using the PROCESS macro, and the moderation effect was tested via hierarchical regression analysis.FindingsThis study found that narcissistic admiration positively affected NVG, while narcissistic rivalry had the opposite effect. LFEF mediated the relationships between narcissistic admiration/rivalry and NVG. In addition, the effects of narcissistic admiration and rivalry on LFEF were moderated by personal initiative.Practical implicationsThe findings suggest that entrepreneurs with narcissistic rivalry should deliberately regulate their cognition of failure and strengthen their learning from failure. Moreover, entrepreneurship education mentors should emphasize cultivating and guiding entrepreneurs' personal initiative in the context of frustration education. In addition, venture capitalists can consider incorporating the personality traits (i.e. dual narcissism and personal initiative) of entrepreneurs into the investment decision-making index system.Originality/valueThis study advances the relationship between narcissism and performance through the perspective of dual narcissism and provides a learning theory perspective for analyzing the narcissism–performance relationship. Moreover, by exploring the moderating role of personal initiative, this study enriches the understanding of the conditional factor that affects the ability to learn from failure.

Just my luck: Narcissistic admiration and rivalry differentially predict word of mouth about promotional games

We examine the role of narcissistic admiration and rivalry in consumers’ word of mouth about promotional games. We show that, although narcissistic admiration and rivalry are both positively associated with belief in good luck (Study 1), their associations with word of mouth in reference to a retailer diverge when consumers lose a chance-based promotional game (Study 2). Specifically, when consumers lose (but not win), narcissistic admiration is associated with more favorable word of mouth (i.e., leaving a positive review on a website), whereas narcissistic rivalry is associated with less favorable word of mouth. These diverging effects vary depending on the effort that consumers exert to participate in the game (Study 3), and are informed by authentic and hubristic pride (Study 4). Positive and negative affect do not account for the findings. The results provide further evidence of the distinct processes motivating self-enhancement among consumers higher in narcissistic admiration and rivalry.

Narcissism and Self-Esteem Revisited : The Mediating Roles of Perceived Status and Inclusion

ABSTRACT The purpose of the present study was to examine whether narcissistic personality features had indirect associations with state self-esteem through perceived status and inclusion. We used a daily diary approach to examine whether daily perceptions of status and inclusion mediated the associations that narcissistic admiration (an agentic form of narcissism that is characterized by assertive self-enhancement and self-promotion) and narcissistic rivalry (an antagonistic form of narcissism that is characterized by self-protection and self-defense) had with daily reports of state self-esteem in 808 undergraduate students. Narcissistic admiration had positive indirect associations with state self-esteem through perceived status and inclusion, whereas narcissistic rivalry had negative indirect associations with state self-esteem through perceived status and inclusion. These results suggest that perceptions of status and inclusion may contribute to the feelings of self-worth that are experienced by individuals with narcissistic personality features. Discussion focuses on the implications of these results for our understanding of the connections between narcissism and self-esteem.

The Dark Side of Leader Narcissism: The Relationship Between Leaders’ Narcissistic Rivalry and Abusive Supervision

Narcissists often attain leadership positions, but at the same time do not care for others and often engage in unethical behaviors. We therefore explored the role of leader narcissism as an antecedent of abusive supervision, a form of unethical leadership. We based our study on the narcissistic admiration and rivalry concept (NARC) and proposed a direct positive effect of leaders’ narcissistic rivalry—the maladaptive narcissism dimension—on abusive supervision. In line with trait activation and threatened egotism theory, we also proposed a moderated mediation assuming that leaders high in narcissistic rivalry would be particularly prone to showing abusive supervision in reaction to followers’ supervisor-directed deviance, as this form of follower behavior would threaten their self-esteem. We conducted a field study with leader–follower dyads (Study 1) and an experimental vignette study with leaders (Study 2). Leaders’ narcissistic rivalry was positively related to abusive supervision (intentions) in both studies. This effect was independent of followers’ supervisor-directed deviance and leaders’ perceived self-esteem threat. We discuss our findings in light of the NARC, as well as threatened egotism theory, and offer directions for future research. Finally, we make practical recommendations for organizations.

Entrepreneur narcissism and new venture performance: A learning perspective

Recent research views narcissism as an important personality trait that can explain the heterogeneity in firm performance. This is particularly relevant in the entrepreneurial context as entrepreneurs have a more direct influence on firm strategies than executives in established firms. This study proposes that narcissism has different implications for venture performance when it is reflected as admiration versus rivalry. Moreover, we suggest that a venture’s learning strategy in new product development (NPD) is an important mediating mechanism that links entrepreneur narcissism and new venture performance. Utilizing data collected from 215 new ventures in China, we find that while narcissistic admiration motivates entrepreneurs to focus more on explorative learning, narcissistic rivalry makes them more likely to promote exploitative learning. More importantly, we find that founding team members can potentially reshape the impact of entrepreneur narcissism on venture learning strategy by participating in venture decision-making and by contributing diverse knowledge resulting from their heterogeneous professional backgrounds.

The Moderating Role of Emotion Regulation in Relationship Between Narcissism and Cyberbullying

Along with the growing role of new technological solutions, we are becoming more and more exposed to the negative consequences of electronic forms of contact. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between cyberbullying, both from the perpetrators’ and victims’ perspectives, and emotion regulation strategies and narcissism. It was hypothesized that cyberbullying correlates positively with emotion suppression and narcissistic rivalry and negatively with cognitive reappraisal and narcissistic admiration. Within cybervictimization, a positive relationship was predicted with emotion suppression and narcissistic rivalry, and a negative relationship with narcissistic admiration. Additionally, a model assuming moderation of emotion regulation strategies in the relationship between cyberbullying perpetration and narcissistic rivalry was analyzed. Students aged 19–26 years (N = 208, 49.5% female) participated in the study and completed the following online questionnaires: the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, the European Cyberbullying Intervention Project Questionnaire, and the Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Questionnaire. The results indicated that cybervictimization was positively related to emotion suppression, and that narcissistic rivalry was positively related to cyberbullying and cybervictimization. The tested model of moderation was not validated for both emotion regulation strategies. The results of the research have practical implications and confirm the need for further research in this field.

Perceptions of narcissism in college professors

ABSTRACT We conducted three studies to examine perceptions of grandiose narcissism in college professors. Narcissism might appear incompatible with the profession if professors are viewed fundamentally as helpers or as introverted bookworms. Then again, people might expect professors to display big egos congruent with the prestige of their profession and their privileged public platforms. Our research indicates that professors are generally not seen as highly narcissistic according to the criteria of the Narcissistic Personality Inventory and the Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Questionnaire, though they are viewed as more narcissistic than elementary school teachers. More professor narcissism was expected at colleges that prioritize scholarly productivity over teaching excellence. Male professors were viewed as more narcissistic, but only for narcissism dimensions associated with interpersonal hostility and for judgments of whether professors are “narcissistic.” We discuss possible implications for narcissistic professors’ ability to exploit the gap between academic ideals and reward system realities.

Indulge in self-admiration or offer help to others? The influence of employee narcissism on prosocial behavior

<p id=C2>Narcissism is a personality trait characterized by an inflated self-image, a strong sense of psychological superiority and entitlement, and a low level of empathy. As narcissism has a substantial impact on employees’ work quality, happiness, satisfaction, and interpersonal relationships, employee narcissism has become an important topic of research among scholars and management practitioners, who have called for further research on the behavior of narcissistic employees in the process of interpersonal interaction. However, research on the impact of employee narcissism on prosocial behavior has reached inconsistent conclusions; thus, the mechanisms by which employee narcissism affects prosocial behavior need to be further explored. To fill this theoretical gap, we drew on the Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Concept (NARC), and hypothesized that employees’ narcissistic admiration has a positive impact on prosocial behavior via relational approach motivation and that narcissistic rivalry has a negative impact on prosocial behavior via relational avoidance motivation. We further expected task interdependence, as an important situational factor, to directly influence employees’ expression of different narcissistic traits and motivation and their subsequent prosocial behavior. <break/>We tested these hypotheses in a field sample of 235 employee-colleague dyads using a time-lag research design. The data were collected by administering the Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Scale, the Approach and Avoidance Scale, the Task Interdependence Scale, and the Prosocial Behavior Scale. At Time 1, we collected the employees’ demographic variables (gender, age, and educational background) and asked them to rate their narcissistic admiration, narcissistic rivalry, and task interdependence. At Time 2 (approximately one month after Time 1), the employees rated their relational approach motivation and relational avoidance motivation, and their colleagues were asked to rate these employees’ prosocial behavior. We applied confirmatory factor analysis, descriptive statistics and correlation analysis, path analysis, and bootstrap methods using SPSS 24.0 and Mplus 7.4 to analyze the data from the 235 employee-colleague pairs. <break/>Confirmatory factor analysis was performed to examine the discriminant validity of the key variables (i.e., narcissistic admiration, narcissistic rivalry, task interdependence, relational approach motivation, relational avoidance motivation, and prosocial behavior), and the results confirmed discriminant validity. Next, we used path and bootstrap analyses to test the hypotheses. The results were as follows: (1) narcissistic admiration had a significant positive impact on employees’ prosocial behavior; (2) narcissistic rivalry had a significant negative impact on employees’ prosocial behavior; (3) relational approach motivation mediated the relationship between narcissistic admiration and prosocial behavior, however, relational avoidance motivation didn’t mediate the relationship between narcissistic rivalry and prosocial behavior; and (4) task interdependence played a moderating role in the relationship between narcissistic admiration and relational approach motivation and further moderated the indirect effect of narcissistic admiration on employees’ prosocial behavior via relational approach motivation. <break/>This study makes several contributions to the literature on narcissism. First, it explores the double-edged effects of narcissistic admiration and narcissistic rivalry on employees’ prosocial behavior, thereby helping scholars better understand these traits. It also explains the inconsistent results of previous studies on the relationship between employee narcissism and prosocial behavior. Second, based on the concepts of narcissistic admiration and narcissistic rivalry, this study explores the mechanisms of both traits on employees’ prosocial behavior. Although the mediating role of relational avoidance motivation was not significant, this gives us another important insight that future researches can try to independently examine the influence effects, mechanisms, and boundary conditions of narcissistic admiration and narcissistic rivalry without being overly tied to the NARC framework. Third, by integrating trait activation theory, this study investigates the important role of a situational factor (i.e., task interdependence) in the relationships between narcissistic admiration, narcissistic rivalry, and employees’ prosocial behavior, which can help organizational managers better understand the roles of narcissistic admiration and narcissistic rivalry.

Adverse childhood experiences and grandiose narcissism – Findings from a population-representative sample

BackgroundIn the development of narcissism, besides genetic factors, hostile educational conditions, including adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), are discussed as causal factors. ACE may play a causal role in the development of antagonistic behavior due to negative interpersonal experiences. However, studies assessing the role of ACEs in the etiology of narcissism are still inconsistent, particularly regarding grandiose narcissism. This may be due to the complexity of grandiose narcissism, which can be distinguished into agentic (admiration) and antagonistic (rivalry) facets. Understanding the role of early traumatic events in the etiology of grandiose narcissism may be important for psychotherapeutic treatment in both, patients with trauma history and narcissistic patients. ObjectiveWe aimed to specify the role of ACEs in grandiose narcissism by differentiating between admiration and rivalry. Participants and settingIn a cross-sectional survey conducted from November 2017 to February 2018, a representative sample of the German population above the age of 14 (N = 2531) was selected in a random route approach. ResultsIncreased numbers of ACEs were associated with higher mean scores for rivalry in females (B = 0.04, p = 0.02) and males (B = 0.08, p < 0.01), while no significant associations were seen for admiration. Focusing on individual ACEs, in males, all maltreatment experiences were associated with narcissistic rivalry, with the exception of physical neglect, while in women only emotional maltreatment and emotional neglect were significant. Associations with household dysfunction were shown only in men. There were no significant associations between individual ACEs and admiration. ConclusionsOur results suggest emotional coldness and negative relationship experiences play a role in the development of, in particular, antagonistic and unfavorable narcissistic traits, such as admiration. Therapy with individuals who have experienced ACEs should take into account possible narcissistic personality traits related to ACEs to facilitate successful treatment. Thus, our findings may help building a therapeutic alliance though a better understanding of the development of current behavioral problems for both patient and psychotherapist.

Why Narcissism Reduces Distress: The Consequences of Narcissistic Intellectual Self-Confidence.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between grandiose narcissism and the feeling of distress. We referred to the narcissistic admiration and rivalry model. We hypothesized that people with high narcissistic admiration would experience less distress and fear and that intellectual self-confidence would account for this relationship. We examined two dimensions of grandiose narcissism using Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Questionnaire, self-assessed intelligence, and various aspects of distress in two studies. In Study 1 (N = 170), we assessed distress (with the Dundee Stress State Questionnaire), related to performance in an intelligence test (Raven’s Advanced Progressive Matrices), and in Study 2 (N = 258) we measured fear related to the COVID-19 pandemic. In both studies, narcissistic admiration was inversely related to distress/fear, and this relationship was fully mediated by self-assessed intelligence. Narcissistic rivalry was unrelated to both distress and self-assessed intelligence. These findings emphasize the importance of self-views related to intelligence for those with high narcissistic admiration. In particular, intellectual self- confidence plays an important role in reducing distress among narcissists.

Development of a Scale of Narcissism in Social Media and Investigation of Its Psychometric Characteristics

Narcissism in social media reveals itself differently than in daily social interactions. Therefore, the present study aimed to develop a Scale of Narcissism in Social Media through the lens of the Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Model and to investigate its psychometric characteristics. The total sample of the study consisted of 740 participants between 18 and 65 years of age for exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. The exploratory factor analysis resulted in a 16 item and two-factor structure. The structure of the scale was in accordance with the theoretical framework and therefore factors are named Narcissistic Admiration and Narcissistic Rivalry. The results of the confirmative analysis showed that the fit indices were acceptable. Correlations of the scale with other narcissism scales demonstrated concurrent validity and reliability analysis showed acceptable internal consistency. The results of the study show that the Scale of Narcissism in Social Media is a valid and reliable tool for measurement and data collection.

The link between interpersonal conflict and knowledge hiding: mediated by relatedness need frustration, moderated by narcissistic rivalry

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between employees’ experience of interpersonal conflict and their engagement in knowledge hiding, according to a mediating effect of their relatedness need frustration and a moderating effect of their narcissistic rivalry.Design/methodology/approachThe tests of the hypotheses rely on three-wave, time-lagged data collected among employees in Pakistan.FindingsA critical reason that emotion-based fights stimulate people to conceal valuable knowledge from their coworkers is that these employees believe their needs for belongingness or relatedness are not being met. This mediating role of relatedness need frustration is particularly salient among employees who are self-centered and see others as rivals, with no right to fight with or give them a hard time.Practical implicationsThe findings indicate how organizations might mitigate the risk that negative relationship dynamics among their employees escalate into dysfunctional knowledge hiding behavior. They should work to hire and retain employees who are benevolent and encourage them to see colleagues as allies instead of rivals.Originality/valueThis research unpacks the link between interpersonal conflict and knowledge hiding by explicating the unexplored roles of two critical factors (relatedness need frustration and narcissistic rivalry) in this relationship.

The relationship between narcissistic admiration, narcissistic rivalry and selfitis behaviors: The mediating roles of fear of missing out and general belongingness

Selfie behavior is defined as taking a photo of oneself via a mobile phone and sharing it on social media. The personality traits or psychological processes related to selfie behavior have become a recent interest in psychology. In this study; the mediating role of fear of missing out and general belongingness in the relationship between narcissistic admiration/narcissistic rivalry and selfitis behaviors was examined. 440 Instagram users aged between 18 and 65 (74% Female) participated in the study online. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Scale, Selfitis Behavior Scale, Fear of Missing Out Scale, and General Belongingness Scale. Results indicated that narcissistic admiration and narcissistic rivalry are positively correlated with selfitis behaviors. The indirect effect of narcissistic admiration on selfitis behaviors was significant through fear of missing out and general belongingness. On the other hand, while fear of missing out mediated the relationship between narcissistic rivalry and obsessive selfitis behaviors; the mediating role of general belongingness was not significant. Findings indicated that different dimensions of narcissism may affect selfitis behaviors depending on an individual’s different psychological processes. It can be argued that selfie behaviors may be a way of establishing interpersonal relationships on social media. The current study focused on a single social media application and selfie behaviors only. For this reason, it is suggested to examine social media behaviors in the context of different social media applications.

Culture and narcissism: The roles of fundamental social motives

• We examine how cultural values relate to narcissism via social motives. • Vertical individualism exhibits a positive indirect effect on narcissism. • Horizontal collectivism shows a negative indirect effect on antagonistic narcissism. • A strong status motive underpins both agentic and antagonistic narcissism. • A weak affiliation motive is associated with antagonistic narcissism. Cultures that value individuality over collective cohesion tend to report higher levels of narcissism. One plausible explanation is that individuals with vertical individualistic orientations might find it easier to justify motivations to procure individual status and success, which may reinforce narcissistic tendencies. We tested this idea with samples of university students ( N 1 = 545) and working adults ( N 2 = 534). Specifically, we examined the degree to which cultural orientations related to grandiose narcissism through the fundamental social motives of status and affiliation. The indirect effects of vertical individualism on narcissism exhibited consistent patterns in both samples. As expected, vertical individualism related to higher levels of both agentic and antagonistic narcissism via a stronger status motive. The indirect effects of horizontal collectivism on narcissism were only observed for narcissistic rivalry. Specifically, horizontal collectivism related to lower levels of antagonistic narcissism via a stronger affiliation motive and a weaker status motive. Through documenting the interconnectedness of individuals’ cultural orientations, social motives, and narcissism, our findings demonstrate the central role of the status motive for narcissism.

Are they out to get me? Individual differences in nonclinical paranoia as a function of narcissism and defensive self-protection.

Three studies tested a novel model of the narcissism-paranoia link, whereby narcissism (primarily its socially maladaptive facets) is associated with paranoia via over-use of defensive self-protection and/or under-use of self-affirmation. In Study 1, 245 online volunteers (87% female; MAGE =20.92; 44% White-British) completed trait measures of narcissism, self-enhancement/protection strategies and paranoia. In Study 2, 116 students (82% female; MAGE =20.23; 70% White-British) completed baseline measures, then reported state reactions and paranoia following two difficult and two pleasant interpersonal events after 3-10days. In Study 3, 517 online volunteers (64% female; MAGE =22.76; 77% White/Caucasian) completed baseline measures, experienced a standardized social exclusion (vs. neutral) manipulation (Cyberball), then reported state reactions and paranoia. In Study 1, narcissism was associated with higher paranoia via defensiveness. In Study 2, this was replicated in difficult but not pleasant events, and was driven by the Entitlement/Exploitativeness facet of narcissism. In Study 3, narcissistic rivalry and vulnerable narcissism, but not admiration, were associated with Cyberball-related paranoia via general defensiveness and denigration of others. Individuals high in narcissism-especially its socially maladaptive facets-who over-rely on defensive self-protection strategies in response to threat, are particularly vulnerable to paranoia. Findings help to understand individual differences in paranoia.

Testing the relationships between narcissism, risk attitude, and income with data from a representative German sample

Narcissism is related to income and risk-taking behavior, but previous studies have computed only pairwise associations and have used only domain-specific risk-taking measures. We jointly investigated narcissistic admiration and rivalry, income, and general risk attitude. Using a representative sample from the German population (N = 14,473), we contrasted a model assuming that risk attitude and narcissistic admiration and rivalry share variance when predicting income and a model with additive effects of narcissism and risk attitude. We found stronger effects of admiration on risk attitude and income than of rivalry and no evidence that risk attitude and narcissism share variance when predicting income. Contrary to previous studies, we found that an individual's income was independent of their risk attitude. In exploratory analyses (Response Surface Analysis, Level-and-Difference-Approach), we found that the relative strength of admiration compared with rivalry positively predicted risk attitude and income. Taken together, our findings are consistent with the hierarchical model of grandiose narcissism.

Narcissistic admiration and rivalry and reactions to romantic breakup

This study examined how narcissism, described by the Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Concept (NARC), relates to reactions to romantic relationship dissolution. 246 participants completed a survey assessing the NARC components, and measures concerning a specific past relationship: Emotional reactions immediately following breakup, perceptions of the ex-partner, responsibility for initiating and attributions of blame for problems leading to breakup. Narcissistic rivalry was associated with greater externalized (anger) and internalized (sadness and anxiety) negative emotion, while narcissistic admiration was associated with greater anger and less sadness. Narcissistic admiration was associated with more positive and rivalry with more negative trait perceptions of the ex-partner. Narcissism was unrelated to attributions of blame for the breakup or relationship problems, but admiration was associated with a greater role in initiating breakup.

Narcissism, activity on Facebook, and conspicuous consumption among young adults.

The purpose of the study was to explore relationships between narcissistic strategies, self-oriented activity on Facebook, and conspicuous consumption. The sample consisted of 323 young Polish adults. Participants completed the Conspicuous Consumption Scale (CCS), the Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Questionnaire (NARQ), and questions regarding Facebook use. Empirical support was found for the assumption that conspicuous consumption was predicted by narcissistic rivalry. Although the direct impact of narcissistic admiration on conspicuous consumption was non-significant, this strategy influenced status consumption through self-verified behaviours on social media, the strongest predictor of conspicuous consumption. This shows that narcissistic rivalry directly affects the propensity to conspicuous consumption and narcissistic admiration is related to self-verified activity on Facebook. The involvement of Facebook usage in this manner increases the acquisition and display of expensive, glamorous products as external signals of status.