narcissist
Welcome to Quiz questions about narcissist - two sets of clever quiz questions and answers for those who like to test their knowledge of psychology, concepts and culture. Here you will find questions about personality traits, typical patterns in relationships, key terms from research and how the subject is portrayed in books, films and music. The questions are suitable for casual gamers who want a free online quiz but still appreciate slightly more difficult angles, where you need to connect details rather than just guessing. You'll get short, clear answers and a neutral explanation that helps you understand the context without being too long. Perfect for a quick break, a challenge with friends, or to review key concepts in an accessible way.
It is important to distinguish between everyday narcissism and the clinical diagnosis of narcissistic personality syndrome (NPS). Most people have some narcissistic traits; it is part of having normal self-esteem and ambition. Taking pride in an achievement or wanting attention sometimes is perfectly human. The problem arises when these traits become extreme, rigid and permeate the whole personality in a way that harms both the person and their environment. A person with NPS has a persistent pattern of grandiosity, a deep need for admiration and a marked lack of empathy. This quiz aims to shed light on these patterns, not to diagnose, but to increase understanding of a complex psychological phenomenon.
The term 'narcissist' originates from the Greek myth of Narcissus, a beautiful young man who fell so in love with his own reflection that he withered away. The myth captures the essence of the problem: a self-absorption so total that it precludes meaningful relationships with others. In modern psychology, the term is used to describe a spectrum of behaviours. In popular culture, the word has become a common way to describe someone who is self-centred, but it is important to remember the clinical background. Understanding the difference between a personality trait and a personality disorder is crucial to approaching the subject with both knowledge and respect.
Quiz on narcissists - learn to recognise the patterns
The questions also help you recognise typical narcissistic traits, such as excessive self-image, high need for admiration, lack of empathy, a sense of specialness and a tendency to take advantage of others, so that you can distinguish between normal self-confidence and more problematic patterns of behaviour in everyday situations.
10 signs that a person may be a narcissist
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The person almost always steers the conversation back to themselves.
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Becomes clearly annoyed or hurt when not praised or given attention.
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Tone down, ignore or make fun of others' feelings.
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Has difficulty recognising mistakes and taking responsibility, even in small situations.
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Takes credit for joint efforts and projects.
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Feels easily offended, even by objective and friendly criticism.
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Focuses a lot on how things look outwardly (status, image) rather than how they actually work.
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Often compares themselves to others to appear smarter, more capable or more important.
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Expecting special treatment or special rules without any real justification.
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May seem very charming at first, but quickly become cold or dismissive when they don't get their way.
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Part 1
Which psychiatric diagnosis is most commonly abbreviated as NPD in clinical settings?
Answer: Narcissistic personality disorder
NPD is an established abbreviation in psychiatry and is used in diagnostic contexts. It refers to a persistent pattern of grandiosity, strong need for affirmation and limited empathy.
Which diagnostic system is often used together with ICD in Swedish healthcare?
Answer: DSM-5
The DSM-5 is an American classification system that is often used in research and specialised care. In Sweden, the ICD is formally used, but DSM-5 can supplement with detailed criteria.
Which of the so-called dark triad is most associated with impulsiveness and recklessness?
Answer: Psychopathy
The dark triad comprises three personality themes studied in social psychology. Psychopathy is often associated with low anxiety, impulsivity and lack of guilt in comparison to the other two.
Which of the so-called dark triad is most concerned with strategic manipulation?
Answer: Machiavellianism
Machiavellianism describes a cold, instrumental style focused on control and long-term tactics. In research, it is distinguished from impulsiveness in that the manipulation is often more planned.
What term describes someone exaggerating their importance and demanding admiration?
Answer: Grandiosity
Grandiosity involves an inflated self-image and a strong sense of being special. It is used as a central characteristic when describing certain personality patterns in clinical literature.
What term is used to describe the inability to empathise with others in close relationships?
Answer: Lack of empathy
Empathy deficiency refers to an impaired ability to perceive and share the feelings of others. It can manifest itself as coldness, disinterest or interpreting others from one's own needs rather than their perspective.
What defence mechanism involves attributing your own unacceptable feelings to others?
Answer: Projection
Projection is a psychological defence mechanism in which internal conflicts are moved outwards. It can contribute to the person perceiving others as threatening or malevolent, even though the impulses are within oneself.
What defence mechanism involves seeing people as either completely good or completely bad?
Answer: Splitting
Splitting means black and white thinking where nuances and ambivalence become difficult to tolerate. It can lead to rapid shifts between idealisation and devaluation in relationships.
What is it called when someone first showers a partner with intense affirmation to quickly bond?
Answer: Love bombing
The term describes an early phase of excessive attention, gifts or promises. It can create quick attachment and make boundary setting more difficult when the behaviour later changes.
What term is used to describe someone making you doubt your memory of events?
Answer: Gaslighting
Gaslighting involves a person systematically questioning another person's experiences and memories. The effect can be insecurity, self-doubt and seeking validation from the influencer.
Which expression describes the withdrawal of support and warmth as a silent punishment?
Answer: Silent treatment
Silent treatment involves not communicating or responding in order to create discomfort or control. It can act as a pressure tactic in conflicts, especially when dialogue could otherwise resolve the situation.
Which term describes gradually moving your boundaries to avoid fighting in a relationship?
Answer: Border shift
Boundary shifting means that what was initially unacceptable becomes normalised over time. It often happens in stages, making the change more difficult to detect and to interrupt in time.
What pattern of attachment is often associated with avoidance of vulnerability and strong independence?
Answer: Avoidant attachment
Avoidant attachment means that closeness and dependence can feel threatening. People with this pattern tend to downplay feelings and favour distance when relationships become more intense.
Which attachment pattern often involves fear of abandonment and strong need for affirmation?
Answer: Ambivalent attachment
Ambivalent attachment is characterised by uncertainty about availability and security. It can oscillate between closeness-seeking and anxiety, especially in cases of unclear communication or perceived threats to the relationship.
Which term describes taking credit for the work of others in a group?
Answer: Credit theft
Credit theft means that someone attributes to themselves merits that others have created. In work environments, it can affect trust, the climate of co-operation and how performance is assessed by managers or colleagues.
What term describes deliberately breaking down someone's confidence with little jabs?
Response: Devaluation
Degradation involves belittling, criticising or mocking to create a power imbalance. It can be overt or subtle and often leads the victim to question their competence.
Which word describes a pattern where someone switches between charm and coldness to control the relationship?
Answer: Intermittent reinforcement
Intermittent reinforcement means that positive responses are given unpredictably. This can create strong reinforcement-seeking behaviour, as the reward sometimes comes despite the behaviour being otherwise rejecting.
What type of therapy has strong evidence for emotional instability and relationship difficulties?
Answer: DBT
DBT stands for dialectical behaviour therapy and focuses on skills training in emotion regulation, tolerance and relationships. It is often used when impulsivity and intense emotions affect everyday functioning.
Which therapy approach emphasises identifying and restructuring automatic thoughts?
Answer: CBT
CBT stands for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and works on the connection between thoughts, feelings and behaviours. It is widely used and has strong support for several mental disorders through structured exercises.
What is the term used for a person who constantly seeks validation and mirrors the reactions of others?
Answer: Narcissist
A narcissist is often described as heavily dependent on external admiration to keep their self-esteem stable. In everyday language, the word is sometimes used broadly, but clinically, a persistent and disabling pattern is required.
Which word describes victimisation to gain sympathy and avoid responsibility?
Answer: Offerroll
Victimisation involves presenting oneself as powerless or unfairly treated in order to influence the reactions of others. It can be a strategy to avoid criticism and control the narrative of the conflict.
Which term describes isolating a partner from friends and family through subtle influence?
Answer: Social isolation
Social isolation means that contact areas are reduced and external support is weakened. This can be through criticism, suspicion or demands for loyalty, making it more difficult to gain perspective and help.
What is the concept of crossing the boundaries of others and still requiring special treatment?
Answer: Sense of entitlement
Entitlement bias is the belief that one is entitled to benefits without corresponding consideration. It can manifest itself as demands, irritation when resisted and lack of respect for common rules.
Which term describes imitating others' interests and values to be liked?
Answer: Mirroring
Mirroring involves adapting expressions and preferences to create a quick sense of belonging. It can be a normal social behaviour, but becomes problematic when used manipulatively and without genuine stable identity.
Which psychologist coined the concept of the mirror stage, sometimes linked to the development of self-image?
Answer: Jacques Lacan
Jacques Lacan described the mirror stage as a phase in which the experience of the self is formed through the recognition of an image. The idea is used in psychoanalytic theory to discuss identity and the relationship between self and other.
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Part 2
Which author wrote the novel where Dorian keeps a young face while a portrait changes?
Answer: Oscar Wilde
Oscar Wilde published the novel in 1890 and it became a classic on morality and self-image. The story uses the portrait to symbolise consequences that are not outwardly visible.
Which tragedy writer created the character who becomes obsessed with his own reflection?
Answer: Ovid
Ovid retold the myth in Metamorphoses and spread it throughout European culture. The character falls in love with his own image, which becomes a warning of self-absorption and unattainable longing.
Which psychoanalyst linked self-love to early development in a 1914 text?
Answer: Sigmund Freud
Sigmund Freud wrote an influential essay on how self-relation can shape and influence relationships. The text is often used as a historical reference in later theories of self-image and defence.
Which American psychologist developed a well-known self-report scale for grandiosity in the 1970s?
Answer: Robert Raskin
Robert Raskin co-developed the Narcissistic Personality Inventory for research. The scale measures traits such as dominance and need for admiration, but is not itself a clinical diagnosis.
What term is used to describe the shame-sensitive, withdrawn variant with strong inner doubts?
Answer: Vulnerable narcissism
Vulnerable narcissism describes a pattern of sensitivity to criticism and strong shame, rather than overt assertiveness. Research distinguishes it from more outward expressions by higher insecurity and avoidance.
What term is used for an extrovert style of status-seeking and assertiveness?
Answer: Grandiose narcissism
Grandiose narcissism is about assertiveness, dominance and seeking admiration. It can lead to social success in the short term, but can create conflict when others feel disrespected.
Which concept in psychology is about regulating self-esteem through the reactions of others?
Answer: Self-regulation
Self-regulation describes processes that stabilise emotions and self-image in different situations. When it is heavily dependent on external responses, criticism or rejection can have a disproportionate effect.
Which term describes expecting exceptions to rules and getting angry at borders?
Answer: Entitlement
Entitlement is used in research to describe the experience of deserving more than others. It is linked to conflicts in relationships and working life, especially when demands meet resistance.
Which communication style involves moving the goalposts in a discussion so that no answer is good enough?
Answer: Destination mail transfer
Moving goalposts means that demands change as the other tries to meet them. This makes conflict resolution difficult, as agreements are constantly renegotiated without clear criteria.
Which term describes mixing praise with criticism to create uncertainty?
Answer: Double bond
Double-bind involves conflicting messages that allow each choice to be criticised. The effect can be confusion and increased adaptation, as the person tries to find a response that does not lead to negative consequences.
Which word describes deflecting the issue through personal attacks instead of arguments?
Answer: Ad hominem
Ad hominem is an argumentation fallacy where the focus is shifted from the issue to the person. It is used to undermine credibility without addressing the substance, often escalating conflict.
Which term describes taking on excessive responsibility to keep the peace with a difficult person?
Answer: Codependency
Codependency means that one's daily life is organised around managing someone else's behaviour. This can lead to prioritising one's own needs and boundaries to avoid fighting or blame.
What term is used when one person systematically breaks down another through control and fear?
Answer: Psychological abuse
Psychological abuse involves repeated acts of belittling, threatening or controlling behaviour. It can be difficult to detect from the outside as it is often done through words, isolation and manipulation rather than physical violence.
Which term describes a sudden, intense anger after a perceived violation of status?
Answer: Narcissistic rage
Narcissistic rage refers to strong affect that can be triggered by criticism or loss of control. The reaction may be disproportionate and followed by blaming, threats or abrupt withdrawal.
What term is used to describe seeking constant admiration as a kind of emotional resource?
Answer: Narcissistic livelihood
Narcissistic provisioning describes how affirmation is used to stabilise self-esteem. It can come from praise, attention or control over others and becomes problematic when prioritised over reciprocity.
Which personality trait in the Five Factor Model is often low in cold and distant style?
Answer: Kindness
Friendliness in the Five-Factor Model is about trust, empathy and co-operation. Low levels are associated with more competitive and sceptical behaviour, which can affect relationships and conflict management.
Which personality trait in the Five Factor Model is about order, duty and self-discipline?
Answer: Conscientiousness
Conscientiousness describes how structured and goal-orientated a person is. It often affects performance and trustworthiness, and can interact with other traits in different ways in social settings.
What term describes idealising someone quickly and then suddenly turning to strong criticism?
Answer: Devaluation cycle
Devaluation cycle refers to a recurring pattern in which a person is first elevated and later devalued. The shift can be triggered by small disappointments and often leads to instability in close relationships.
Which concept is about creating alliances against a third person to maintain control?
Answer: Triangulation
Triangulation involves involving a third party to increase pressure or create jealousy. This can be done through comparisons, secrets or seeking support from someone else instead of direct communication.
Which term describes someone consistently turning conversations back to their own needs?
Answer: Self-centredness
Self-centredness means focusing on one's own experiences even when the situation concerns someone else. This can reduce reciprocity, as the perspectives of others are not given equal space in conversations and decisions.
Which word describes a pattern of manipulation where guilt is used to gain concessions?
Answer: Debt burden
Blaming involves placing responsibility on the other person to control behaviour or emotions. It can be done through accusations or innuendo and makes it difficult to have an objective discussion.
Which term describes the desire to appear innocent by denying clear acts?
Answer: Denial
Denial is a defence mechanism where unpleasant information is not acknowledged. It can protect against shame in the short term, but makes accountability and problem solving difficult when facts are ignored.
What term is used when someone deliberately switches between proximity and distance to control attachment?
Answer: Push-pull
Push-pull describes a pattern of alternating attraction and rejection. It can create strong insecurity in the other, as the terms of the relationship are perceived as unpredictable and difficult to influence.
Which term describes the systematic collection of information about someone for later use in conflict?
Answer: Ammunition collection
Ammunition gathering involves saving details in order to blame or win future arguments. This behaviour can make conversations feel unsafe, as vulnerability risks being used as a weapon.
What term describes a person who seems charming on the outside but abusive in private?
Answer: Double facade
Double facade means that the behaviour is very different between public and private life. This can make it difficult for others to understand the victim's experience, as external impressions contradict reported events.
