Distinguishing narcissism and hostility: Similarities and differences in interpersonal circumplex and five-factor correlates

Narcissism and hostility are both characterized by dysfunctional social int eractions, including tendencies to perceive slights, experience anger, and behave aggressively. The aim of this study was to examine the similarities and differences of narcissism and hostility, using 2 conceptual tools-the i nterpersonal circumplex and the Five-factor model. In a sample of 292 under graduate men and women, composite measures of hostility (i.e., Buss-Perry A ggression Questionnaire [Buss & Perry, 1992] and Cook-Medley Hostility [Coo k & Medley, 1954] total scores) were inversely correlated with affiliation and unrelated to dominance. In contrast, composite narcissism scores (i.e., Narcissistic Personality Inventory) were positively correlated with domina nce and inversely correlated with affiliation. Examination of components of these traits revealed additional similarities and differences, as did asso ciations with other dimensions of the Five-factor model. These findings sug gest that the traits of narcissism and hostility are distinguishable by the ir interpersonal referents, as are their components.