Heritability of Narcissism

Several studies of narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) have assessed whether this condition is inherited and can be passed from one generation to another. For example, according to a study by Livesley et al, as well as several other studies, narcissism is an inheritable trait, with a continuum existing with a normal and pathological personality at either end of the scale.

The study by Livesley et al looked at 175 pairs of twins who all completed a questionnaire designed to assess 18 dimensions of personality disorder. The heritability of the dimensions was assessed using standardized tests and NPD was found to have the highest rate of heritability of all the dimensions (heritability coefficient 0.64). Of the other dimensions assessed, only four had a heritability coefficient of more than 0.5.

Narcissism is typically characterized by an overly inflated self image, a sense of superiority over others and a lack of empathy. This is set against an underlying low self esteem and extreme sensitivity to criticism or rejection.

One study by Chinese researchers explored in pairs of twins, the genetic and environmental bases of two personality features seen in narcissism, namely, intrapersonal grandiosity and interpersonal entitlement. Overall, 304 pairs of twins completed the Psychological Entitlement Scale and the Narcissistic Grandiosity Scale. The results showed that both entitlement and grandiosity were moderately heritable, at 35% and 23%, respectively, but traits were mainly independent of each other in terms of genetic and environmental influence.

Further Reading

• All Narcissism Content
• Narcissism – What is Narcissism?
• Healthy Narcissism
• Narcissism Empirical Studies
• Narcissism Masterson’s Subtypes

Written by

Dr. Ananya Mandal

Dr. Ananya Mandal is a doctor by profession, lecturer by vocation and a medical writer by passion. She specialized in Clinical Pharmacology after her bachelor's (MBBS). For her, health communication is not just writing complicated reviews for professionals but making medical knowledge understandable and available to the general public as well.