Gender difference amongst narcissistic on the dimension of social relationships, aggression and social role theory

This review explores the gendered manifestations of narcissism, focusing on its impact on social relationships, aggression, and how these are shaped by social role theory. Narcissistic traits including grandiosity, a need for admiration, and lack of empathy, often create challenges in interpersonal dynamics. However, the expression of these traits differs across genders. Research indicates that grandiose narcissism, which is associated with traits like dominance, self-importance, and assertiveness, is more commonly found in men, while vulnerable narcissism, marked by hypersensitivity, self-criticism, and emotional distress, is more prevalent in women. Social role theory offers a framework for understanding these gender differences, positing that societal expectations and gendered stereotypes influence how narcissistic behaviours are expressed and perceived. Drawing on studies published between 1914 and 2025, this review synthesizes findings on how gender influences narcissism's effects on the social relationships and aggression. The paper concludes that grandiose narcissism aligns more closely with masculine stereotypes, leading to greater social acceptance in men, while women's narcissistic traits often conflict with societal expectations, leading to more negative perceptions and social rejection.