Clinical Narcissism: End-of-Term Exam
Questions with Detailed Answers
June 11, 2025
1. Introduction
This 10-page resource is designed for 3rd-year psychology students completing their 2025 end-of-term
exams. It contains 50 new questions on clinical narcissism, spanning definition, diagnosis, etiology,
neural basis, treatment, cultural influences, assessment, comorbidity, developmental origins, and so-
cietal impact. Questions are moderate (3 points), advanced (5 points), or very advanced (7 points),
totaling 130 points. Detailed, evidence-based answers include marking guidance and hints for high
scores. The two-column layout enhances clarity. Pair with primary texts for mastery.
2. Questions and Model Answers
2.1 1. Definition and Characteristics 2.2 2. Diagnosis and Assessment
(3) 1. Moderate: What is grandiosity in narcis- (3) 1. Moderate: What are two DSM-5 criteria for
sistic personality disorder (NPD)? Give an NPD?
example.
(5) 2. Advanced: How does the Narcissistic Per-
(5) 2. Advanced: How does vulnerable narcissism sonality Inventory (NPI) assess narcissism?
differ from grandiose narcissism? Include Include limitations.
evidence.
(7) 3. Very Advanced: Critically evaluate the use
(7) 3. Very Advanced: Critically evaluate the di- of informant reports in NPD diagnosis, with
mensional vs. categorical models of narcis- evidence.
sism, with evidence.
(3) 4. Moderate: What is the Pathological Narcis-
sism Inventory (PNI)?
(3) 4. Moderate: What is entitlement in NPD?
(5) 5. Advanced: How does clinical interview im-
A. Excessive privilege demands prove NPD diagnosis? Include evidence.
B. Emotional instability
C. Social withdrawal 2.3 3. Etiology: Psychological Factors
D. Delusional beliefs (3) 1. Moderate: What is the role of parenting in
NPD etiology?
(5) 5. Advanced: How does narcissistic admira-
tion differ from rivalry? Include evidence.
(5) 2. Advanced: How does self-esteem dysreg-
3rd-Year Psychology End-of-Term