Research into ‘dark personality traits’ has always focused on men. But some experts believe standard testing misses the ways an antisocial personality manifests itself in womenPicture a psychopath. Who do you see in your mind’s eye? Chances are it’s a man. And chances are your answer would be similar if you were asked to picture a narcissist. From Charles Manson and Ted Bundy to Joseph Stalin, Adolf Hitler and Donald Trump, most famous people we consider psychopathic or narcissistic are male. That’s even the case for fiction – think Hannibal Lecter, Patrick Bateman or Norman Bates.Scientists long assumed that women were simply too wonderful to be significantly psychopathic or narcissistic, and didn’t bother to study the possibility much, according to Ava Green from City St George’s, University of London. But research over the past few decades is increasingly challenging this stereotype, suggesting women can have a dark streak, too. Much like in autism or ADHD, such traits just expre...
The main idea of the article is that female narcissism is often overlooked and misdiagnosed because traditional diagnostic tools and societal stereotypes are biased towards recognizing narcissistic traits in men.
The article highlights:
* The historical bias: Research on "dark personality traits" has traditionally focused on men, leading to a misconception that women are inherently less prone to narcissism or psychopathy.
* Different expressions: While the core elements of narcissism are similar in both genders, women may express these traits differently, making them harder to detect. Vulnerable narcissism, characterized by introversion, defensiveness, and low self-esteem, is more common in women than the grandiose type seen in men.
* The need for updated assessment: The article argues that diagnostic tools need to be revised to better account for the diverse ways narcissism manifests in women.
Essentially, the article challenges the stereotype of the "evil man" exhibiting dark traits and emphasizes the need to recognize the darker side of female personality as well.
The main idea of the article is that female narcissism is often overlooked and misdiagnosed because traditional diagnostic tools and societal stereotypes are biased towards recognizing narcissistic traits in men. The article highlights: * The historical bias: Research on "dark personality traits" has traditionally focused on men, leading to a misconception that women are inherently less prone to narcissism or psychopathy. * Different expressions: While the core elements of narcissism are similar in both genders, women may express these traits differently, making them harder to detect. Vulnerable narcissism, characterized by introversion, defensiveness, and low self-esteem, is more common in women than the grandiose type seen in men. * The need for updated assessment: The article argues that diagnostic tools need to be revised to better account for the diverse ways narcissism manifests in women. Essentially, the article challenges the stereotype of the "evil man" exhibiting dark traits and emphasizes the need to recognize the darker side of female personality as well.
