Chapter 8: Exercises

Comprehension Check

1. What is the DSM-5 definition of Narcissistic Personality Disorder? How many criteria must be met, and what does "pervasive" mean in this context?

2. What is the estimated prevalence of clinical NPD? How does this compare to the perceived prevalence on social media?

3. Explain the difference between narcissism as a personality trait and narcissism as a personality disorder. Why does this distinction matter?

4. What is concept creep, and how does it apply to the popular use of "narcissist"?

5. Summarize the debate around the "narcissism epidemic" claim. What evidence does each side present?

Application

6. Find five TikTok or Instagram videos about narcissism. For each, note: - The specific behaviors described as "narcissistic" - Whether the behaviors could also be explained by ordinary selfishness, stress, or immaturity - Whether the video distinguishes between trait narcissism and clinical NPD - Whether the video recommends professional assessment or encourages self-diagnosis

7. Think of a conflict you've had with someone in the past year. Could any of their behavior have been labeled "narcissistic" using social media criteria? Now describe the same behavior without using the word "narcissist." Does the non-labeled description suggest different solutions?

8. Search for "narcissist recovery" communities online. Observe the content for 15 minutes. Note: - Is the community providing genuine support? - Is the concept of narcissism being applied broadly or narrowly? - Are members being encouraged to seek professional help or to self-diagnose?

9. Write two descriptions of the same person's difficult behavior: - Version A: Using narcissism language ("They were love-bombing me, then devaluing me, because they're a narcissist") - Version B: Using behavioral language ("They were very attentive at first, then became critical and distant") How do the two versions change how you think about the situation and the possible responses?

10. Apply the 9-step toolkit to the claim: "Narcissists are incapable of change or love."

Critical Thinking

11. The chapter argues that calling someone a narcissist "forecloses the possibility of repair." Is this always true? Are there situations where the label is necessary precisely because repair is impossible?

12. If concept creep has expanded "narcissism" to include ordinary difficult behavior, does this make it harder for people experiencing genuine narcissistic abuse to be taken seriously? How?

13. Social media narcissism content consistently positions the viewer as the victim, never as the narcissist. What does this tell you about the content's function (identity-affirming, engagement-generating) vs. its educational value?

14. Could a reduction in the casual use of "narcissist" on social media reduce the support available for actual abuse survivors? How do you balance protecting the clinical concept without silencing people who are genuinely suffering?

15. Jean Twenge argues that narcissism is increasing due to social media and cultural changes. Critics argue the data doesn't support this. If you were designing a study to settle this question, what would it look like?

Fact-Check Portfolio

16. If any of your 10 claims involve narcissism, personality disorders, or diagnostic labels applied casually: - Does the claim distinguish between trait and disorder? - Is the claim based on clinical evidence or social media content? - Apply the concept creep lens: has the term expanded beyond its clinical meaning? - Update your evidence rating.