Today's Thursday • 3 mins read
Why would a narcissist be curious to read about narcissism?
- Do they want to find out how annoying they are to others?
- Do they want to know how their narcissism affects their own lives?
Narcissists are self-centered, boastful, attention-hungry, and low self-esteem people.
So, if they want to read up on narcissism, then we should be wary of what they are going to do with that info.
Paradox of Narcissistic Awareness
Narcissists are quite self-aware about their narcissistic traits. They can accurately describe themselves as arrogant and admit to traits that support their self-glorification.
Yet this narcissistic awareness doesn’t translate into meaningful change or insight.
So, this person is aware of their annoying behaviors but refuses to change.
Do narcissists read about narcissism?
Here’s the short answer: Yes, many narcissists read about narcissism and people with narcissistic traits. However, they do so with no intention to genuinely improve themselves.
Why do narcissists read about narcissism?
When narcissists read about narcissism, they take what helps them and ignore the rest.
Self-knowledge becomes their tool to serve their own needs. Not to challenge themselves to get better.
Three Main Reasons Narcissists Read About Narcissism:
1. To manipulate others in worse ways
Many narcissists treat psychology books like instruction manuals to sharpen their manipulation skills.
Popular books among narcissists include “The 48 Laws of Power,” “The Art of War,” and “How to Win Friends and Influence People.”
These texts help them refine their control tactics rather than tools for personal growth.
They use this information to quickly figure out other people’s weak spots. It also helps them stay guilt-free after conning others.
Narcissists sound smart when talking on dark psychology, personality disorders, and toxic relationships. But this knowledge stays surface-level. They never apply these ideas to their own behavior.
In therapy, they might impress people with big words about narcissism. But this bookish knowledge rarely leads to real self-reflection. They stay good at avoiding blame while sounding like they understand their problem.
2. To reinforce their own beliefs
Reading up on narcissism lets them maintain their false self.
Narcissists often use the knowledge to polish their carefully curated self-image.
It serves to enhance their “skills at attracting and maintaining their sources of narcissistic supply.”
Some narcissists might feel validated that their traits are the fault of their past, genes, or childhood. It lets them gloat more in their false sense of victimhood.
It is not about genuine self-awareness.
3. To project their own behavior onto others
Narcissists might use their newfound knowledge as a shield and a weapon.
They may use it to their advantage in relationships and at work.
They can develop better strategies and find more effective ways to avoid blaming others for their mistakes.
They may use their research-based information to block other people’s arguments about their condition.
Final Words
Narcissists read about narcissism to become more narcissistic, not less.
Their reading usually makes their defenses stronger instead of challenging them. Expect knowledge-rich narcissists to be armored with better weapons of psychological control and destruction.
Real healing needs honest self-examination that goes against the narcissist’s need to stay superior and avoid responsibility.
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√ Also Read: Signs That A Narcissist Is Done With You (And Is About To Discard You)
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