Do Narcissists Know They Are Narcissists?

Think of your friendly neighborhood narcissist—status-seeking, grandiose, loud-mouthed, brash, and flamboyant. Many researchers have also theorized that a lack of self-awareness is a hallmark trait of narcissists. My personal experience does not support this: It seems to me as though such people are not only aware of who they are, but they embrace it. Erika Carlson and her colleagues at Washington University in St. Louis conducted three very well-constructed studies to determine whether narcissists have insight into their personality and reputation.