A new study has found that individuals with pronounced narcissism tend to have an increased sense of entitlement. These individuals also exhibit a reduced perception of equity. Analyses suggest that narcissistic individuals are more likely to perceive inequity because they overestimate their own contributions. The research was published in the International Journal of Organizational Analysis.
Narcissism is a personality trait characterized by grandiosity, a strong need for admiration, and a lack of empathy for others. People high in narcissism often have an inflated sense of self-importance and believe they are special or unique. They may exaggerate their achievements and expect others to recognize their superiority without corresponding accomplishments.
Such individuals frequently display a heightened sense of entitlement, believing they deserve special treatment regardless of merit or fairness. This mindset can distort their perception of equity, leading them to view equal treatment as insufficient—or even unfair—toward themselves.
Narcissistic individuals can be charming and confident but may struggle with criticism or perceived slights. While a certain level of self-confidence is normal and healthy, elevated narcissism can interfere with relationships and social functioning.
Study authors Abdelbaset Queiri and Hussain Alhejji sought to explore the relationship between narcissism and perceived inequity among Omani employees. They also investigated whether a sense of entitlement mediates this relationship. The researchers hypothesized that it does.
Study participants included 150 individuals employed in the healthcare, education, information technology, retail, and finance sectors in Muscat and Salalah, Oman. The study authors formally requested permission from the human resource departments of participating organizations to distribute the survey among employees. Forty-eight percent of participants were under the age of 30, while another 30% were between 30 and 40 years old. Ninety-six participants were women.
Participants completed assessments of narcissism (e.g., “I like to be the center of attention,” “I can make anybody believe anything I want them to”), sense of entitlement (e.g., “I demand the best because I’m worth it,” “Great things should come to me”), and perceived inequity (e.g., “I exert myself too much considering what I get back in return”).
As expected, results showed that individuals with more pronounced narcissistic traits tended to report a greater sense of entitlement and greater perceived inequity. Further analyses indicated that sense of entitlement may partially mediate the relationship between narcissism and perceived inequity—meaning that entitlement helps explain the link, but does not account for it entirely.
“The study suggests that narcissistic individuals perceive inequity due to an overestimation of their contributions (i.e., entitlement),” the study authors conclude.
This research contributes to the scientific understanding of the relationship between narcissism and perceptions of fairness, and provides data from a population that is rarely studied in international psychological research. However, the study’s cross-sectional design does not allow for causal conclusions to be drawn from the findings.
The paper, “Examining the link between narcissism and perceived inequity: the mediating role of sense of entitlement,” was authored by Abdelbaset Queiri and Hussain Alhejji.