Question
Is there a correlation between narcissism and extroversion?
Answer
There is no direct correlation between narcissism and extroversion. While narcissistic individuals can exhibit extroverted behaviors, such as being outwardly expressive or attention-seeking, narcissism itself is not confined to extroverted personalities. In fact, individuals with narcissistic traits can also be introverted. What often leads to the misconception is that narcissism appears more obvious in extroverts because they are more likely to vocalize their self-importance, making the traits more externally visible.
The development of introversion and extroversion has strong genetic and neurological underpinnings. Approximately 50% of the variance in these traits is genetic, while environmental factors contribute significantly to how these tendencies manifest. Brain structure plays a critical role, particularly in how the brain processes sensory input. Introverts have a higher level of cortical arousal, meaning they require less external stimulation and are more easily overwhelmed by sensory input. This difference is noticeable even in infancy, where introverted tendencies may be observed in babies who react more sensitively to stimuli such as bright lights or loud sounds.
This Ask the Expert is an edited excerpt from the course, "Personality Pathways to Substance Abuse: Understanding Traits, Risks, and Treatment," presented by Benjamin Ampel, MA, PhD candidate.
