#Narcissism

Narcissism, once cast mainly as a clinical disorder trudging through therapy rooms, has undergone a dramatic transformation in the past three decades. The latest reflections from the field summarize a striking shift: narcissism is not a single, locked-in trait but a spectrum with two well-documented faces. One is bold and grandiose—an outward swagger that longs for admiration and rewards. The other is vulnerable and hypersensitive—an inward tremor of insecurity masked by fragile self-esteem. Both sides emerge from a common core: a highly inflated sense of self-importance that skews how people see others and themselves. For Thai readers, this reframes familiar conversations about leadership, online behavior, family dynamics, and mental health in a country where harmony, respect, and social cohesion are deeply valued.

A growing body of research is spotlighting a troubling paradox: some narcissists may display above-average empathy while still pursuing self-serving goals. In recent discussions sparked by expert commentary on a widely shared article, researchers describe a profile sometimes labeled the “dark empath.” These individuals combine traits like high self-importance and manipulation with seemingly genuine affective understanding of others’ feelings. The most eye-catching takeaway for many readers is a striking statistic from an early study: about one in five people in a large community sample appeared to fit this dark-empath cluster, meaning they could be especially dangerous because they understand others well enough to exploit or coerce them without appearing obviously callous. For families and workplaces in Thailand, this raises urgent questions about trust, safety, and how to recognize warning signs before harm occurs.

A growing body of research shows how leaders with narcissistic traits respond when confronted with errors. High-profile figures, including former political leaders, often react defensively or aggressively. Findings suggest these patterns reflect broader dynamics in workplaces and governments worldwide, with clear implications for Thailand’s evolving business, public sector, and academic communities.

Narcissistic leaders tend to deny mistakes, blame others, gaslight critics, minimize issues, erupt in anger, withdraw, or cast themselves as victims when errors surface. These responses reflect fragile self-esteem that cannot tolerate personal fault. Understanding these dynamics helps Thai organizations manage risk, preserve trust, and sustain learning as the country modernizes its institutions.

A fresh wave of psychological research is offering valuable insights into why high-profile figures such as former US president Donald Trump—and other leaders with pronounced narcissistic traits—react so defensively, or even aggressively, when confronted with evidence of their own mistakes. Drawing on interviews, recent peer-reviewed studies, and organizational psychology, experts say these reactions are not just personality quirks, but reflect deeper dynamics in workplaces and governments worldwide—raising profound questions about power, accountability, and the future of leadership, including in Thailand’s evolving corporate, political, and academic environments.

A recent study from San Francisco State University provides a significant breakthrough for employers and organizations seeking to identify narcissistic tendencies in job candidates. By carefully crafting and analyzing responses to just three targeted interview questions, the researchers found a remarkably efficient method to spot potentially disruptive personalities—offering Thai employers, educators, and even community leaders a practical new tool for building healthier teams and workplaces (Psychology Today).

This research is especially relevant to Thailand, where the concept of “face” and harmonious group interaction play a central role in organizational culture. Narcissistic grandiosity—characterized by a focus on personal gain, dominance in group settings, and a lack of empathy—threatens not only productivity but also the emotional well-being of colleagues. In a country where community, respect, and consensus are highly valued, early identification of such traits can prevent workplace conflict and staff turnover, which are persistent challenges in both Thai corporate and government offices.

A recent study from San Francisco State University offers a practical tool for employers and organizations seeking to identify narcissistic traits in candidates. By analyzing responses to three carefully chosen interview questions, researchers found a notably efficient way to flag potentially disruptive personalities. This approach could help Thai employers, educators, and community leaders build healthier teams and workplaces.

In Thailand, where the concept of face and harmonious group interaction play a central role in organizational culture, narcissistic grandiosity—defined by self-centeredism, dominance, and a lack of empathy—poses risks to both productivity and colleagues’ well-being. Early identification of such traits can help prevent workplace conflict and staff turnover, a persistent challenge in both corporate and government settings in Thailand.

A breakthrough study from San Francisco State University has identified three simple interview questions that could effectively flag narcissistic tendencies in job applicants—a finding with important implications for Thai workplaces concerned about team dynamics and organisational health. The research, published in June 2025 and highlighted by Psychology Today, responds to a growing need for practical screening tools that can efficiently identify problematic personalities before they impact the work environment or company culture (Psychology Today).

A new study from San Francisco State University offers three simple interview questions that can flag narcissistic tendencies in job applicants. The findings, published in June 2025 and summarized by Psychology Today, provide practical tools for Thai organizations aiming to protect team dynamics and organizational health.

In Thailand, where harmony and “namjai” (น้ำใจ) are valued, unchecked narcissism can quietly undermine collaboration, morale, and performance. The research focuses on narcissistic grandiosity—the aspect most linked to disruptive workplace behavior. The team reduced an initial pool of 19 indicators to three core questions, designed to fit both formal interviews and casual group discussions. The questions reliably correlated with scores on standard narcissism measures, offering a quick screening method rather than a formal diagnosis.

A UK-based psychotherapist has captured over 2.7 million viewers on TikTok by distilling the subtle and often confusing signs that may indicate someone in your life is a narcissist—a topic increasingly resonant in an era of social media-fueled misunderstanding about mental health. The therapist, who runs a therapy service and leverages digital platforms for mental health education, lists 10 critical signals that point to narcissism beyond everyday selfishness, sparking both public interest and debate about the actual meaning of narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) and its real-world impact.

A UK-based psychotherapist has garnered millions of views on TikTok by breaking down the subtle signs of narcissism in everyday life. The goal is to help viewers distinguish between ordinary selfishness and a deeper pattern that may affect relationships. The video’s insights are now discussed in Thai contexts where social media habits shape how people understand mental health, personality disorders, and their real-world impact.

In Thailand, conversations about mental health are increasingly shape-shifting from clinical texts to popular hashtags. Terms like narcissism, gaslighting, and ghosting circulate online, sometimes losing accuracy. The American Psychiatric Association’s DSM-5 defines narcissistic personality disorder as a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, a constant need for admiration, and a lack of empathy. Yet in daily life, signs can be nuanced and overlap with other behaviors. Research highlights the danger of oversimplified labels and the importance of professional evaluation.

A new meta-analysis is challenging popular perceptions about the roots of narcissism, suggesting that early childhood attachments may play a significant role—particularly in the development of vulnerable narcissism. The findings, synthesized from more than 10,000 participants across 33 studies, shed new light on how varying attachment styles developed in childhood correlate with adult narcissistic traits, a topic with deep resonance for families and mental health professionals in Thailand and globally (Firstpost).

A recent meta-analysis challenges common beliefs about the roots of narcissism, suggesting that early attachment patterns in childhood may influence the development of vulnerable narcissism in adulthood. The study synthesizes data from more than 10,000 participants across 33 studies, highlighting how insecure attachments in childhood relate to adult narcissistic traits. This has clear relevance for families and mental health professionals in Thailand and beyond, as researchers emphasize careful interpretation rather than labeling individuals.

A new synthesis of multiple studies shows that people with narcissistic traits are more prone to developing an addiction to social networking sites. The finding adds to growing concerns about how digital life affects mental health in Thailand and around the world.

Social platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter) have reshaped how people connect, share, and present themselves. In Thailand, social media use remains high, with millions of users representing a large portion of the population. While this connectivity offers benefits, it also coincides with rising concerns about problematic or compulsive use, a behavior sometimes labeled as social media addiction. Research from international sources indicates a clear link between higher narcissism scores and greater engagement in compulsive online activity.

Recent scientific research has revealed that individuals with narcissistic personality traits are more susceptible to developing an addiction to social networking sites, highlighting concerns about mental health in the digital age. This study, which synthesises findings from multiple prior investigations, offers important insights for Thai parents, teachers, and mental health professionals as social media use continues to surge across the kingdom.

The rise of social networking platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter) has dramatically changed the way people interact, share information, and cultivate their identities. According to recent statistics, Thailand is among the world’s most active countries on social media, with over 52 million users as of 2024, accounting for more than 74% of the population (DataReportal). This trend has facilitated both increased social connectedness and, unfortunately, a growing prevalence of problematic or compulsive usage, sometimes classified as social networking site addiction (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov).

A quick look at how someone uses their phone can reveal more about personality than we might assume. New research shows a strong link between compulsive social media use and narcissistic traits. The study, conducted at the University of Gdańsk and published in the Journal of Research in Personality, suggests that excessive online activity goes beyond vanity and affects mental health and social wellbeing. For Thai readers, these findings come at a crucial time as social platforms are deeply woven into daily life and work.

A simple glance at someone’s phone habits may reveal more about their personality than previously thought. Recent psychological research has spotlighted compulsive social media use as a tell-tale sign of narcissistic tendencies, with experts warning of consequences that extend beyond the screen and into mental health and social wellbeing. The findings, anchored by a new study from the University of Gdańsk and published in the Journal of Research in Personality, provide timely insights—especially for countries like Thailand, where social platforms are woven deeply into daily life (Daily Mail).

A new wave of psychology research shows a clear link between narcissism and addiction to social networking sites. As Thai society embraces digital life, these findings offer timely insights for program designers, educators, and families working to safeguard mental well-being.

Experts say the study helps explain why some people become dependent on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. The research, summarized by a reputable science outlet, builds on the idea that social media functions as a stage for self-promotion and constant validation. In Thailand, where smartphone ownership and internet access are among the highest in Southeast Asia, the implications are especially relevant.

A new wave of psychological research highlights a compelling connection between narcissism and social networking site addiction, raising concerns about the impact of personality traits on online behavior. As social media platforms continue to play a central role in daily life, this latest study provides critical insight not only for global users but also for Thai society, where smartphone and internet penetration are among the highest in Southeast Asia.

The significance of this finding lies in its ability to explain why certain individuals develop problematic social media habits more readily than others. According to the research, those who exhibit stronger narcissistic personality characteristics are statistically more vulnerable to becoming reliant on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. The study, published in a peer-reviewed academic journal and summarized by PsyPost, builds on previous knowledge that social media can serve as both a stage for self-promotion and a source of constant validation.

A large-scale study challenges the idea that narcissists are a single type. Researchers identify four distinct narcissistic profiles, showing that confidence can mask insecurities. Published in the Journal of Research in Personality, the work aims to deepen clinical understanding and improve everyday interactions. Data were collected from more than 50,000 adults across three general-population samples using the Narcissism Admiration and Rivalry Questionnaire (NARQ), which separates narcissism into admiration (self-enhancement) and rivalry (defensive aggression).

A groundbreaking new study has revealed that not all narcissists are cut from the same cloth. Instead, there are four distinct personality subtypes linked to narcissistic traits, with experts cautioning that some individuals may project confidence while grappling with hidden insecurities beneath the surface. The findings, recently published in the Journal of Research in Personality, are shaking up the conventional scholarly understanding of narcissism and could have wide-reaching implications for clinical psychology and everyday relationships alike (psypost.org).

A new study shows that people with narcissistic traits are more likely to feel left out in social settings and to misread others’ signals. Reported by PsyPost, the findings highlight how narcissistic tendencies shape interpersonal relationships and carry implications for how Thai society navigates mental health and social complexity.

In Thailand, cultural norms such as kreng jai—consideration for others and avoidance of confrontation—can complicate open communication. The research suggests that narcissistic individuals may feel ostracized or slighted even when others do not intend harm, partly due to misinterpreting ambiguous social cues. This pattern could amplify social isolation and heighten the risk of conflict in schools, workplaces, and family life.

A recent research investigation has uncovered that individuals with narcissistic personality traits are significantly more likely to perceive themselves as excluded in social situations and to misread the cues of those around them. These findings, highlighted in a report published by PsyPost, shed new light on the challenges faced by narcissistic individuals in forming and maintaining interpersonal relationships, with meaningful implications for modern Thai society as it navigates increasing social complexity and mental health awareness.

In recent psychological discourse, the term “communal narcissism” has been gaining attention as researchers and mental health experts delve into understanding this intricate personality trait. Unlike the conventional narcissist associated with grandiosity and blatant self-promotion, communal narcissists cloak their self-serving motives behind a facade of altruism and community service. This emerging subtype of narcissism carries significant implications for how individuals engage with societal roles and humanitarian efforts, prompting a re-evaluation of seemingly benevolent behaviors.

A newer thread in psychology examines “communal narcissism,” where people appear deeply involved in community work yet chase recognition. Unlike the classic image of a grandiose ego, communal narcissists mask self-interest with acts of service, challenging assumptions about benevolence in public life.

In this concept, individuals invest effort in charity and civic projects, but their primary aim is admiration and status. While they may seem like ideal community pillars, experts note that the motivation is the attention they receive for being helpful rather than a steadfast commitment to the cause. Thai observers may recognize similar patterns where visible volunteering is court for public praise rather than sustained impact.