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According to a study, you can spot a narcissist by this facial feature
Aside from sparkling white teeth and excessive cell phone selfies, are there any telltale signs of a narcissist? Recent research suggests the answer may be right above their eyes—more specifically, in their eyebrows. A University of Toronto study presented in the Journal of Personality suggests that people with "prominent eyebrows" are more likely to exhibit traits associated with a narcissistic personality. The term “narcissist” comes from the ancient Greek legend of Narcissus, a youth who fell hopelessly in love with his own reflection in a pool of water. In general, people with strong narcissistic traits...
According to a study, you can spot a narcissist by this facial feature
Aside from sparkling white teeth and excessive cell phone selfies, are there any telltale signs of a narcissist? Recent research suggests the answer may be right above their eyes—more specifically, in their eyebrows.
A University of Toronto study presented in the Journal of Personality suggests that people with "prominent eyebrows" are more likely to exhibit traits associated with a narcissistic personality.
The term “narcissist” comes from the ancient Greek legend of Narcissus, a youth who fell hopelessly in love with his own reflection in a pool of water. In general, people with strong narcissistic traits rank high on the self-admiration scale. At first glance, they often make a positive impression, seem likeable and charismatic, but also show self-centered and selfish behavior, often coupled with an exaggerated feeling for their own abilities or their appearance.
Here is a list of common traits commonly associated with narcissism:
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Excessive complacency
: Narcissists often have inflated self-esteem. They believe they are superior and expect to be recognized as such even without corresponding achievements.
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Feeling of entitlement
: Narcissists typically feel entitled to special treatment and unconditional fulfillment of their expectations.
-
Exploitation of others
: Narcissists are often willing to take advantage of others to achieve their own goals. They may ignore the feelings and needs of others.
-
Lack of empathy
: Narcissists may have difficulty identifying with the feelings and needs of others. They may dismiss or ignore other people's feelings as irrelevant or unimportant.
-
envy
: Narcissists may either believe that others are envious of them, or they themselves may be envious of others.
-
arrogance
: Narcissists often exhibit haughty or arrogant behaviors or attitudes. They may appear conceited, boastful, or pretentious.
-
fantasies of success and power
: Narcissists often dream of limitless success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love.
Interestingly, they also appear to have notable eyebrows.
Keep in mind that some of these traits do not necessarily mean someone is a narcissist. Diagnosed by professionals, narcissistic personality disorder is a serious and pervasive pattern that significantly affects a person's life, relationships, and functioning.
The research team came to this conclusion by photographing nearly 40 students with neutral facial expressions. These students were then given a psychological assessment known as the “Narcissistic Personality Inventory” to measure the strength of any narcissistic traits. The researchers presented the photos to other participants and asked them to rate each person's level of narcissism based solely on their appearance.
Their preliminary results showed that participants effectively used eyebrows to assess students' narcissistic tendencies. In particular, eyebrow thickness and high hair density were the most reliable indicators of narcissism.
To investigate further, the researchers observed how perceptions of narcissism changed when eyebrows were switched between narcissistic and non-narcissistic faces. They found that faces of narcissists were rated as less narcissistic when adorned with eyebrows of non-narcissists, and vice versa.
They concluded that this shows that "distinctive eyebrows reveal a narcissist's personality to others" and have a significant impact on whether you are perceived as a narcissist.
But why could that be? Although the researchers didn't examine a specific mechanism, they suspected that eyebrows play a crucial role in social interactions and nonverbal communication, making us particularly attuned to them. Additionally, eyebrows can reflect a person's overall appearance and identity.
Because of their desire for admiration, narcissists tend to maintain high standards of grooming. "Individuals who report high levels of narcissism tend to wear more fashionable, stylish, and expensive clothing; have a tidier, more organized appearance; and look more attractive," the study authors note.
Eyebrows are also important for facial recognition and mate choice (in both females and males), and a pair of carefully groomed eyebrows can be an indication that the owner is well aware of this.
In summary, while our eyebrows might be an unexpected indicator of narcissistic traits, it is important to remember that personality is diverse and cannot be accurately assessed based on physical characteristics alone. It is always advisable to seek a comprehensive understanding of the individual, taking into account both their characteristics and behavior. If you are dealing with someone who exhibits the narcissistic traits mentioned above, you should consider setting clear boundaries and seeking professional advice if necessary. Finally, our interpersonal relationships have a significant impact on our overall well-being and it is important to maintain healthy relationships.
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