Understanding Your Narcissism Test Results: A Complete Guide

What is the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI)?

The Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI) is the most widely used and scientifically validated tool for measuring narcissistic traits in psychology. Developed by Raskin and Hall in 1979, it has been extensively researched and validated across diverse populations worldwide.

Scientific Foundation

The NPI is based on the diagnostic criteria for Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) from the DSM-III and has been continuously refined through decades of psychological research. Over 200 peer-reviewed studies have used the NPI, making it the gold standard for narcissism assessment.

The Seven Dimensions Explained

Our test measures narcissistic traits across seven key dimensions:

1. Authority

What it measures: Desire for leadership and tendency to dominate others

Healthy range: Moderate scores (1-2 points) indicate natural leadership abilities

High scores: May suggest excessive need for control or dominance

2. Exhibitionism

What it measures: Need for attention and displaying oneself

Healthy range: Low to moderate scores show healthy self-expression

High scores: Could indicate attention-seeking behaviors

3. Superiority

What it measures: Belief that one is better than others

Healthy range: Low scores suggest humility and realistic self-assessment

High scores: May indicate grandiose self-perception

4. Entitlement

What it measures: Attitude of expecting special treatment

Healthy range: Low scores show respect for others and fairness

High scores: Could suggest unrealistic expectations

5. Exploitativeness

What it measures: Tendency to use others for personal gain

Healthy range: Low scores indicate empathy and mutual respect

High scores: May suggest manipulative tendencies

6. Self-Sufficiency

What it measures: Excessive independence and not relying on others

Healthy range: Moderate scores show healthy independence

High scores: Could indicate difficulty with interdependence

7. Vanity

What it measures: Excessive concern with appearance and image

Healthy range: Low to moderate scores show healthy self-care

High scores: May indicate excessive focus on appearance

How to Interpret Your Total Score

0-5 Points (Low Narcissism)

Characteristics: Humble, empathetic, collaborative

Strengths: Good interpersonal relationships, team player

Areas for growth: May benefit from increased self-confidence

Recommendation: Continue fostering healthy relationships

6-10 Points (Moderate Narcissism)

Characteristics: Balanced confidence, healthy self-advocacy

Strengths: Leadership potential, self-assured

Areas for growth: Monitor for excessive self-focus

Recommendation: Maintain balance between self-care and empathy

11-16 Points (High Narcissism)

Characteristics: Strong self-focus, high confidence

Strengths: Leadership abilities, goal-oriented

Areas for growth: Develop empathy, consider others' perspectives

Recommendation: Reflect on relationship patterns, consider professional guidance

Important Considerations

This Test Cannot Diagnose NPD

Narcissistic Personality Disorder is a complex mental health condition that requires professional diagnosis. High scores on this test do not indicate NPD.

Cultural and Contextual Factors

Narcissistic traits can vary across cultures and contexts. What's considered normal in one culture may be different in another.

Trait vs. Disorder

Having narcissistic traits is different from having Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Traits exist on a spectrum and can be adaptive in certain situations.

When to Seek Professional Help

Consider consulting a mental health professional if:

Your relationships are consistently problematic

You receive frequent feedback about being self-centered

You struggle with empathy or understanding others' perspectives

Your behavior causes distress to yourself or others

Additional Assessment Tools

For a comprehensive understanding of your personality patterns, you may also benefit from exploring related assessments:

Borderline Personality Traits: If you experience emotional instability alongside narcissistic traits, consider taking a BPD Test to understand potential borderline personality patterns

Comprehensive Personality Assessment: A broader Personality Test can provide insights into various personality dimensions and how they interact with narcissistic traits

References and Further Reading

Raskin, R., & Hall, C. S. (1979). A narcissistic personality inventory. Psychological Reports, 45(2), 590-590. 1

Raskin, R., & Terry, H. (1988). A principal-components analysis of the Narcissistic Personality Inventory and further evidence of its construct validity. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 54(5), 890-902. 2

Ames, D. R., Rose, P., & Anderson, C. P. (2006). The NPI-16 as a short measure of narcissism. Journal of Research in Personality, 40(4), 440-450. 1

Miller, J. D., & Campbell, W. K. (2008). Comparing clinical and social-personality conceptualizations of narcissism. Journal of Personality, 76(3), 449-476. 4

Emmons, R. A. (1987). Narcissism: Theory and measurement. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 52(1), 11-17.

This article is based on peer-reviewed research and has been developed by the co-creator of the NPI assessment tool.