The Difference Between Grandiose Narcissism and Vulnerable Narcissism

Narcissism refers to people who are self-centered, arrogant, and excessively desire admiration. People with narcissistic behavior tend to ignore the needs of others, believe they deserve special treatment and do not understand the effects of their behavior on others. 

Some people have narcissism as a trait, while others have it as a mental health disorder called narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). NPD is marked by persisting maladaptive behaviors that cause significant functional impairment or distress. An estimated 1-2% of the United States population has this disorder.

Two main types of narcissism are marked by:

• Grandiosity (grandiose narcissism)
• Vulnerability (vulnerable narcissism)

Vulnerable narcissism is often interpreted as clinical narcissism because its symptoms are mostly associated with self-harm and harm to others, while grandiose narcissism is considered sub-clinical or "normal narcissism" because it has a blend of negative and positive traits. Individuals can exhibit both types.

Symptoms of Grandiose Narcissism vs. Vulnerable Narcissism

While scientific evidence suggests they are two distinct constructs, both grandiose and vulnerable narcissism share the hallmark characteristics of narcissism, which are:

• Hostility
• Selfishness
• Being excessively self-absorbed
• Disagreeableness and aggressiveness
• Lack of empathy
• Callousness (insensitivity)
• Deceitfulness
• An exaggerated sense of self-importance
• A high sense of entitlement

Despite sharing this narcissistic common core, each type has symptoms exclusively associated with it.

People high on grandiose narcissism exhibit an inflated sense of superiority or self-importance, a lack of empathy, overconfidence, and entitlement. They maintain their grandiose behavior using two dimensions: a self-promoting dimension that craves the admiration of others and the narcissistic rivalry dimension, which devalues others, strives for supremacy, and is self-defensive. 

Vulnerable narcissism is characterized by fragility, sensitivity to criticism, and low self-esteem, which could mask the high sense of superiority. People with this type of narcissism need the recognition and validation of others to boost their self-worth. They can be described with words like hypersensitive, insecure, and defensive. They will often react to criticism with defiance or disdain and may exhibit withdrawal and a passive attitude if they feel underestimated.

Differences

Grandiose narcissism may differ from vulnerable narcissism in several other ways.

Females Are Higher on Vulnerable Narcissism

Studies on gender differences in narcissism have shown that high levels of grandiose narcissism are more prevalent in people assigned male at birth (AMAB) compared to people assigned female at birth (AFAB). AMAB are also 75% more likely to have narcissistic personality disorder. 

Conversely, other study results indicate that females score significantly higher on vulnerable narcissism than males.

A recent study linked this difference to prenatal exposure to the female and male hormones estrogen and testosterone. According to the study, more feminine men (linked to increased exposure to estrogen in the womb) tend to have a more vulnerable form of narcissism. It also suggested that more masculine women tend to have a more grandiose form of narcissism.

Grandiose Narcissism Is More Extensively Researched

While there has been an immense outpouring of research on narcissism in general in the past decade, it appears researchers have paid more attention to the grandiose type. 

According to one study, existing cross-cultural research on narcissism has disregarded variation in its vulnerable type while focusing more on its grandiose form. This may be linked to the fact that grandiosity is considered a highly significant aspect of narcissism.

Grandiose Narcissism Is Associated with Extroversion

People high on grandiose narcissism tend to be extroverts, while people who exhibit more of vulnerable narcissism tend to be introverts. 

People with vulnerable narcissism often go into defensive or withdrawal mode, which can be attributed to their introverted nature. Shyness is also one of their attributes. On the other hand, the grandiose type is often evident in people who are more assertive and extroverted. They can also be charming and tend to be overconfident.

Vulnerable Narcissism Is Associated With Psychological Maladjustments

Studies have indicated there may be differences in psychological health status, or “self-reported” states of mental health, across the two forms of narcissism.

One study indicated a link between vulnerable narcissism and reduced psychological well-being, pervasive negative emotions, and a higher risk of other forms of personality disorder. 

Individuals high in vulnerable narcissism tend to experience or exhibit more of the negative symptoms of narcissism, particularly those that impact mental health, such as self-doubt, low self-esteem, social withdrawal, passive aggression, anxiety, and inappropriate emotion-regulating strategies. They are more vulnerable to depression and also look outwardly distressed.

In contrast, grandiose narcissism was not correlated with most forms of mental health conditions but was instead associated with life satisfaction. It is also portrayed as “less harmful to mental health.”

Grandiose Narcissism Appears More Prevalent in Western Countries

Research on the prevalence of grandiose vs. vulnerable narcissism globally or in various regions of the world is sparse. However, one cross-cultural study indicated that grandiose narcissism may be more common in Western countries like Germany, while vulnerable narcissism is common in Eastern countries like Japan.

This may be explained by the concept of independent vs. interdependent self-construal (how people perceive themselves in relation to others). Independent self-construal emphasizes individualism, direct communication or expression of thoughts, individual uniqueness, and internal features like a person’s abilities and feelings. 

However, interdependent self-construal places more value on external features like relationships with others, societal status, fitting in, and acting in a befitting manner. Interdependent self-construal tends to consider the anticipated mental state of others, thereby leading to indirect (instead of direct) communication in most cases.

Grandiose narcissism is more in line with independent self-construal and is emphasized more in Western cultures. Vulnerable narcissism, which is assumed to be more related to interdependent self-construal, is seen more in Eastern cultures.

Grandiose Narcissists Often Assume Leadership Roles

Grandiose narcissists often seek out and get high leadership positions in organizations and are more likely to have what is perceived as successful careers. 

However, their leadership could come with both bright and dark sides. For instance, their self-confidence, dominance, superficial charisma, and boldness can help them function effectively in situations that demand making a change or crucial decisions. On the flip side, they tend to pursue goals that are of personal interest, thereby jeopardizing the interests of the organizations they are leading. They may also respond with hostility when they feel underestimated or not recognized.

Vulnerable narcissism is not as common in people with formal leadership positions as the grandiose form of narcissism. This may be because vulnerable narcissists are more introverted and may tend to shy away. This form of narcissism has been described in studies with terms like "neurotic feels of incompetence” and is marked by social insecurity, anxiety, and self-doubt, which can all reduce their chances of attaining leadership positions.

Similarities

Grandiose and vulnerable narcissism also share these similarities:

The Pathological Narcissism Inventory (PNI) Can Be Used To Measure Both

Both grandiose and vulnerable narcissism can be measured or assessed using similar tools or techniques. The Pathological Narcissism Inventory (PNI) is one of the most commonly used approaches developed for measuring both grandiose and vulnerable narcissism.

The PNI is a self-report that includes 52 items and is a good way of measuring a person’s mental abilities, personality, intelligence, and behavior.

Both Are Associated With High Social Media Use

Both people who are high on vulnerable narcissism and those high on grandiose narcissism seek appreciation, admiration, and positive feedback, and social media provides that avenue for self-presentation and online interaction. 

People high on grandiosity are often able to charmingly navigate both online and offline social settings and use social media platforms to their advantage. However, those high on vulnerability tend to thrive more in online settings like Facebook, where they frequently write private messages, comment, and update statuses and images.

Eliminating face-to-face contact through this medium might reduce their defensiveness and shyness in social relations while satisfying their need for popularity and inflated self-importance.

They Can Negatively Affect a Person’s Life

While vulnerable narcissism is more linked to reduced mental health, both types of narcissism can cause impairments in various areas of life, including work and relationships. The behavioral patterns associated with each can cause distress, damage to family and professional relationships, and even an increased risk of legal issues.

Can You Have Both Grandiose and Vulnerable Narcissism?

Narcissism manifests in both vulnerable and grandiose patterns of behavior. While they are marked by some contrasting symptoms, individuals with severe forms of narcissism are believed to display both forms of the condition—although they switch from one to the other at intervals.

Narcissism is also viewed as a medical condition on a spectrum, ranging from less to more severe narcissistic traits. Therefore, you may be high in grandiose narcissism and low in the vulnerable traits.

When To Seek Care

People often use the word “narcissist” carelessly or even use it to describe someone who is ambitious or who often talks about their career. But narcissism is more complicated than many people think. 

Narcissism can cause damage to both professional and romantic relationships and can impair other aspects of life, including mental health. Yet, you may be unable to tell with certainty if you have it unless you consult a medical expert.

If you or a loved one exhibits the core symptoms of narcissism persistently, consider seeking help from a mental health provider. You can start by speaking to your primary care provider, who will assess you and then refer you to a mental health professional as needed.

Your mental health team might include a psychiatrist or psychologist. Whether your behavior is related to the narcissistic trait or to NPD, they can recommend the right treatments to improve your symptoms.

A Quick Review

Narcissism is a complex personality trait or condition that has gained the attention of clinicians and researchers for years. It is multidimensional and manifests in different forms in people. The two primary forms are grandiosity and vulnerability. 

Both behavioral traits share some core symptoms, including self-absorption, a high sense of self-importance, hostility, and a high sense of entitlement. However, they differ in other ways. 

People high in vulnerable narcissism tend to be introverted, internalize their aggression, are prone to shame and embarrassment, and often struggle with low self-esteem and self-doubt. Those high on grandiosity seek admiration, are usually dominating and overconfident, fantasize about perfection, and tend to have high self-esteem.