1467-6494/asset/olbannerleft.gif?v=1&s=a061d6f971aa9dfb339a2cdb0c631348cbf50714)
Egos Inflating Over Time: A Cross-Temporal Meta-Analysis of the Narcissistic Personality Inventory
Article first published online: 23 MAY 2008
DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-6494.2008.00507.x
© 2008, Copyright the Authors. Journal compilation © 2008, Blackwell Publishing, Inc.
Additional Information
How to Cite
Twenge, J. M., Konrath, S., Foster, J. D., Keith Campbell, W. and Bushman, B. J. (2008), Egos Inflating Over Time: A Cross-Temporal Meta-Analysis of the Narcissistic Personality Inventory. Journal of Personality, 76: 875–902. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-6494.2008.00507.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 8 JUL 2008
- Article first published online: 23 MAY 2008
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
ABSTRACT A cross-temporal meta-analysis found that narcissism levels have risen over the generations in 85 samples of American college students who completed the 40-item forced-choice Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI) between 1979 and 2006 (total n=16,475). Mean narcissism scores were significantly correlated with year of data collection when weighted by sample size (β=.53, p<.001). Since 1982, NPI scores have increased 0.33 standard deviation. Thus, almost two-thirds of recent college students are above the mean 1979–1985 narcissism score, a 30% increase. The results complement previous studies finding increases in other individualistic traits such as assertiveness, agency, self-esteem, and extraversion.
