Two experiments examined narcissism and comparative self-enhancement strate
gies, Participants either completed an interdependent (Experiment 1) or an
independent (Experiment 2) achievement task and then received bogus success
or failure feedback. Across experiments, narcissistic individuals self-enh
anced. Nonnarcissists, however, showed more flexibility in self-enhancement
. They did not self-enhance when doing so meant comparing themselves favora
bly to a partner (a comparative strategy). Otherwise, they did self-enhance
, particularly when estimating the importance of the task (a noncomparative
strategy). These findings are discussed from a narcissistic self-enhanceme
nt perspective and a strategic flexibility perspective. (C) 2000 Academic P
ress.