Unraveling the paradoxes of narcissism: A dynamic self-regulatory processing model

Me propose a dynamic self-regulatory processing model of narcissism and rev iew supporting evidence, The model casts narcissism in terms of motivated s elf-construction, in that the narcissist's self is shaped by the dynamic in teraction of cognitive and affective intrapersonal processes and interperso nal self-regulatory strategies that are played out in the social arena. A g randiose yet vulnerable self-concept appears to underlie the chronic goal o f obtaining continuous external self-affirmation. Because narcissists are i nsensitive to others' concerns and social constraints and view others as in ferior, their self-regulatory efforts often are counterproductive and ultim ately prevent the positive feedback that they seek-thus undermining the sel f they are trying to create and maintain. We draw connections between this model and other processing models in personality, and employ these models t o further elucidate the construct of narcissism. Reconceptualizing narcissi sm as a self-regulatory processing system promises to resolve many of its a pparent paradoxes, because by understanding how narcissistic cognition, aff ect, and motivation interrelate, their internal subjective logic and cohere nce come into focus.