The New Science of Narcissism

Understanding One of the Greatest Psychological Challenges of Our Time - and What You Can Do About It

By: W. Keith Campbell PhD, Carolyn Crist

Narrated by: Tom Parks

Length: 9 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

Cut through the noise around narcissism with the leading researcher in the field.

“Narcissism” is truly one of the most important words our time ― ceaselessly discussed in the media, the subject of millions of online search queries, and at the centerpiece of serious social and political debates. But what does it really mean?

In The New Science of Narcissism, Dr. W Keith Campbell pulls back the curtain on this frequently misused label, presenting the most recent psychological, personality, and social research into the phenomenon.

Rather than pathologizing all behaviors associated with the label, Campbell reveals that not only does narcissism occur on a spectrum, but almost everyone exhibits narcissistic tendencies in their day-to-day behavior. Drawing from real-life incidents and case studies, The New Science of Narcissism offers tools, tips, and suggestions for softening toxically selfish behaviors both in yourself and others. Here, you will discover:

• An exploration of personality disorders connected with and adjacent to narcissism
• Why minor narcissistic tendencies are common in most people
• The foundational difference between grandiose and vulnerable narcissism
• Different psychological models of personality and how they interpret narcissistic behaviors
• The “recipe” of mental and emotional traits that combine into narcissism
• How to identify when you’re in a relationship with a narcissist and what you can do about it
• Why the 21st century has seen the rise of a “Great Fantasy Migration” into evermore insular subcultures
• The connection between narcissistic tendencies and leadership
• Why “the audience in your pocket” of social media has exacerbated culture-wide narcissistic tendencies

Though narcissism looms large in our cultural consciousness, The New Science of Narcissism offers many different options for understanding and treating it. With Campbell’s straightforward and grounded guidance, you’ll not only discover the latest and best information on the condition, but also a hopeful view of its future.

©2020 W. Keith Campbell and Carolyn Crist. (P)2020 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Narcissism is both widely discussed and widely misunderstood - which is why the world desperately needs a book like The New Science of Narcissism. Campbell and Crist explode the myths around narcissism and, in its place, build a solid understanding of what narcissism really is and how it displays itself across so many realms, from relationships to the workplace to social media. The New Science of Narcissism will give you what you need to better manage narcissism no matter where or how you experience it. (Jean M. Twenge, PhD, author of iGen: Why Today’s Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy - and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood)

“This is a fascinating journey into research and theory on narcissism, from one of the world’s leading experts on the topic. Although there is plenty of science, there are also concrete and useful tips on how to work with narcissists on a practical level. Most surprising is that they also consider the beneficial sides of narcissism, with suggestions on how to work with rather than against the narcissists who are an unavoidable part of the social world.” (Kristen Neff, author of Self-Compassion)

“This book provides a comprehensive, clear, and easy-to-read account of what we know and don’t know about narcissism, guided by both influential theoretical accounts as well as the increasingly large and sophisticated research literature. Keith Campbell, a leading researcher in narcissism, presents this information in a down-to-earth, funny, and easily digestible manner that makes for a fun and breezy read on this important topic.” (Joshua Miller, PhD)

The varied delivery methods of content

Soup to nuts on narcissism very valuable read. Worth your time. We are all narcissists at some level and that’s a good thing. Now I know.

Great insight!

This helped me bridged a gap that I didn’t understand between grandiose and vulnerable narcissism. The idea of the light triad was very helpful too!

Great book, great listening experience

Loved it! The examples used are so culturally appropriate it makes understanding the complex subject easier.

Good read on both narcissism and general psych

I won’t lie, I probably wouldn’t have read this one if I hadn’t listened to the author’s appearance on the Joe Rogan podcast, but I’m glad that I did, because it was a pretty good and interesting book.

The thing I think was most interesting about it was that it actually wasn’t solely focused on narcissism. Sure, there’s plenty of narcissism-related content, but there’s also a lot of time spent on psychology itself — personality types and traits, disorders, and psychotherapy.

Thus, upon finishing this one, the reader has a better understanding of not only narcissistic personality disorder but also the ways by which similar disorders arise, too.

I think this inclusion of “more general” content helps make the book more digestible and provides a platform on which the narcissism-related pieces can stand. So, whether you’re interested in narcissism or psychology in general, check this one out.

-Brian Sachetta
Author of “Get Out of Your Head”

Narcissism 101

Not sure if this is really bringing a lot of new science to narcissism. It felt like narcissism 101 to me. Good for having a basic understanding of narcissism. If that is all you are looking for, this can do the trick. I wanted much more NPD (the more toxic/damaging stuff) and less narcissistic traits as well. I would have liked to see it more relationship focused as well

Enlightening!

I saw Keith on the Joe Rogan Show and decided to check this book out. There is a lot of insightful information that could/should be helpful to many people that have concerns about themselves and/or others in their lives. Words like narcissist get diluted in everyday life and I feel Keith does incredible justice defining it and evaluating what narcissism is from many points of view. My only criticism was his many references to Trump. I think someone of Keith's caliber used the Donald as a crutch of sorts. We are all victims of our environment to a degree and Trump isn't any different. That said, anyone dealing with a narcissistic family member, spouse, boss, self can use this book to understand what is happening and formulate a strategy to start making things better, I believe. Thanks! Also Keith you are not fat! LOL

Not recommended

Never wanted to purchase the book. I just wanted to sample yet , audible forced me into buying it. It just appeared in my library after sampling…worst book I ever read on this topic

boring

First 3 chapters were useless. Not a good a book if you want to learn how to deal with a narcissist in your life.

A naive discussion of Narcissistic personality

This book is about the analytical presentation of the Narcissistic personality type. There is no insight or moral discussion about this personality type even though it is talked about as a negative humane trait throughout the entire book. The writer contradicts himself many times when he supports and justifies the Narcissistic personality type as an end to a means for leadership roles. His support of Trump after agreeing about his dangerous and destructive behavior does not make sense. His views of leadership shows his lack of understanding about what leadership is all about. This is really sad to see, but it makes sense when a university lecturer teaches such shallow and disrespected views of humanity in a society that is also trending toward Narcissism.

After listening to this book, I became disappointed about the writer's understanding of the narcissist personality. I suppose you could study a subject for decades from afar, but not really knowing the true nature of it. Narcissists' famous abuse and destruction were hardly discussed in this book. Neither was how and why one becomes Narcissist.