Narcissists are more likely to feel excluded, finds new study

Narcissists experience social exclusion more often than others, not just because of their personalities but also due to their tendency to misinterpret ambiguous social cues as rejection, according to a study published by the American Psychological Association.

“Feeling ostracized is subjective—some are intentionally excluded, while others only believe they are,” said lead author Christiane Büttner, PhD, of the University of Basel. “Our findings suggest narcissists are highly sensitive to exclusion cues, perceiving ostracism more frequently,” she noted.

Published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, the study focused on grandiose narcissism, marked by entitlement, dominance, and a need for admiration.

Researchers first analysed data from a national German survey, finding that among 1,592 participants, those with higher narcissism levels reported more frequent feelings of exclusion.

To confirm this, 323 participants logged daily moments of exclusion via a mobile app for two weeks. “Narcissists consistently reported feeling left out, aligning with our earlier findings,” Büttner noted.

Further experiments with over 2,500 people reinforced the link. In a virtual ball-tossing game, narcissists felt excluded even when not explicitly ignored. Another study showed people actively avoid highly narcissistic individuals, reinforcing their sense of isolation.

A 14-year analysis of 72,000 New Zealanders revealed that exclusion worsens narcissistic traits over time. “Narcissism contributes to exclusion, but ostracism itself can also intensify narcissistic behavior,” Büttner explained.

The findings highlight a cycle of social friction. “Addressing workplace and social tensions requires understanding both perception and behavior,” Büttner said, urging strategies that break this cycle.