Relationship between Narcissism and Sensation Seeking

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between narcissism and sensation seeking. It was hypothesized that a positive relationship would be found between the two personality variables. Undergraduates were administered both the Narcissistic Personality Inventory and Form IV of the Sensation Seeking Scale. For both males and females, scores on the Narcissistic Inventory correlated significantly with scores on the Disinhibition subscale of the Sensation Seeking Scale. Boredom Susceptibility was correlated with narcissism for males, while scores on the General and Experience Seeking subscales correlated significantly with narcissism for females. If disinhibition were a social form of sensation-seeking, the correlations with narcissism for both sexes would be accounted for. The study supports the construct validity of the Narcissistic Personality Inventory and provides evidence for regarding narcissism as a dimension of personality.