Are Narcissists Sexy? Zeroing in on the Effect of Narcissism on Short-Term Mate Appeal

Abstract

This research was aimed to provide a comprehensive test of the classic notion that narcissistic individuals are appealing as short-term romantic or sexual partners. In three studies, we tested the hypotheses that narcissism exerts a positive effect on an individual's mate appeal and that this effect is mediated by high physical attractiveness and high social boldness. We implemented a multimethod approach and used ratings of opposite sex persons (Study 1), ratings of friends (Study 2), and records of courtship outcomes in naturalistic interactions (Study 3) as indicators of mate appeal. In all cases, narcissism had a positive effect on mate appeal, which was mainly due to the agentic self-enhancement aspects of narcissism (rather than narcissists' lacking communion). As predicted, physical attractiveness and social boldness mediated the positive effect of narcissism on mate appeal. Findings further indicated that narcissism was more strongly linked to mate appeal than to friend appeal.

Who is open to a narcissistic romantic partner? The roles of sensation seeking, trait anxiety, and similarity

“…The finding that the effect was stronger for admiration than for rivalry might be explained by the fact that admiration entails to a greater degree the charming and entertaining aspects of narcissism (Back et al, 2013;Dufner et al, 2013;Dufner et al, 2015). However, in Study 2, we found only weak relationships between sensation seeking and affiliation with mates high in admiration or rivalry.…”

“…Past research has found that individuals' level of narcissism 1 is positively associated with their mate appeal and their success in initiating contact to potential romantic or sexual partners (Dufner, Rauthmann, Czarna, & Denissen, 2013;Holtzman & Strube, 2011). In this context, physical attractiveness-which appears to be explained by narcissists' tendency to wear fancy clothes and adornments-is one driving force behind narcissists' appeal for romantic affairs or short-term relationships (Holtzman & Strube, 2010, 2013Vazire, Naumann, Rentfrow, & Gosling, 2008).…”

“I could see, in the depth of his eyes, my own beauty reflected”: Women's assortative preference for narcissistic, but not for Machiavellian or psychopathic male faces

“…Some of this research has focussed on mate choice for the Dark Triad characteristics, suggesting that the traits may either be aversive or desirable, depending on the mating context, methodology of the studies, and characteristics of the rater (e.g., Aitken, Lyons, & Jonason, 2013;Carter, Campbell, & Muncer, 2014;Dufner, Rauthmann, Czarna, & Denissen, 2013;Lyons, Marcinkowska, Helle, & McGrath, 2015;Rauthmann & Kolar, 2013). However, less is known about the Dark Triad in the context of assortative mating, especially during initial mate attraction.…”

The neurobiology and evolutionary foundations of the perception of beauty

“…Narcissistic behaviors, too, are reported to increase attractiveness, especially as a short-term romantic or sexual partner (174).…”