LMSW Practice Test

The outward characteristics of a narcissistic personality primarily include grandiosity and self-absorption. Individuals with narcissistic traits often have an inflated sense of their own importance, a strong need for admiration, and a lack of empathy for others. They may frequently seek validation and attention while displaying a sense of entitlement. This grandiosity manifests in their interactions with others, often leading them to prioritize their own needs and desires above those of anyone else.

While dishonesty and mendacity can sometimes be associated with narcissistic behaviors, the core traits defining narcissism lie more prominently in grandiosity and self-absorption. In contrast, shyness and social inhibitions are not characteristic of narcissism, but rather suggest a more introverted or anxious personality type. Stubbornness and arrogance may appear in narcissistic individuals, but again, these characteristics do not encapsulate the defining traits as effectively as grandiosity and self-absorption.