Why Narcissists Emerge as Leaders Even in Childhood... Scientific American

[Rocky]

Since we KNOW... or recognize a consensus that Victor Wierwille was a malignant narcissist, I found this article particularly intriguing. I put it in the OPEN forum because it's not about TWI.

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-narcissists-emerge-as-leaders-even-in-childhood/ probably not behind a paywall.

Many children choose to follow peers with more narcissistic tendencies—and self-esteem may be part of the complex power dynamics involved

 

Narcissistic leaders both fascinate and repel us. They can be charming, act assertively and articulate visions that may inspire confidence, especially in times of uncertainty. This can attract many followers. In 1931 Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, echoed this belief: “[Narcissists] impress others as being ‘personalities’; they are especially suited to act as a support for others, to take on the role of leaders and to give a fresh stimulus to cultural development or to damage the established state of affairs.”

 

But narcissists famously have a dark side as well that includes unethical, autocratic and aggressive behavior. They often stifle collaboration and dismiss expert advice. Given those trade-offs, why do narcissists often end up in positions of leadership, and who is drawn to them? (much more)

 

 

[Nathan_Jr]

“In our study, narcissistic children also felt more comfortable leading peers with low self-esteem.“

 

Easy prey.

How can an NPD, finding himself dumbstruck at his good fortune of amassing such a large group of followers, find the most vulnerable among them?

He might mandate his dupes to each write an autobiographic confession of their lives. Their personal histories will be safe in the lockbox. They could mail them to: The Teacher, P.O. Box…

 

 

 

 

** Never, ever, tell a narc a secret. NEVER. EVER.

[waysider]

He might put them in the lockbox, but he'll pretend to pull them out of "daddy's cookie jar".

[Rocky]

Do any Greasespotters have any introspective insights on why people, even young children, might be drawn to NPD types?

[Rocky]

23 hours ago, Nathan_Jr said:

“In our study, narcissistic children also felt more comfortable leading peers with low self-esteem.“

 

Easy prey.

Indeed. But why?

[oldiesman]

I thought that AI did a good job of answering:

https://www.google.com/search?q=why+are+children+drawn+to+narcissists&sca_esv=178908ee291956e1&sxsrf=AHTn8zpWkgehLrJKVB4SO16cj4xDJlEAkw%3A1745580724273&source=hp&ei=tHILaJHYDuimptQPqpT0kAY&iflsig=ACkRmUkAAAAAaAuAxElGMj0KeOqLIsZF7S7R3hVt0N4t&ved=0ahUKEwiRgvv3ivOMAxVok4kEHSoKHWIQ4dUDCBk&uact=5&oq=why+are+children+drawn+to+narcissists&gs_lp=Egdnd3Mtd2l6IiV3aHkgYXJlIGNoaWxkcmVuIGRyYXduIHRvIG5hcmNpc3Npc3RzSIZcUABYj1lwAHgAkAEAmAGtAaABlRqqAQUyNi4xMbgBA8gBAPgBAZgCHKAC5xPCAgoQIxiABBgnGIoFwgIEECMYJ8ICCxAAGIAEGLEDGIMBwgIREC4YgAQYsQMY0QMYgwEYxwHCAg4QLhiABBixAxjRAxjHAcICCBAAGIAEGLEDwgIFEAAYgATCAggQLhiABBixA8ICDhAAGIAEGLEDGIMBGIoFwgIGEAAYFhgewgILEAAYgAQYhgMYigXCAggQABiABBiiBMICBRAAGO8FmAMAkgcEMTkuOaAHoOkBsgcEMTkuObgH5xM&sclient=gws-wiz

[Nathan_Jr]

On 4/24/2025 at 9:07 PM, Rocky said:

Indeed. But why?

I don't know anything about narcissistic children, but I know something about the full blown disorder (NPD) in adults.

Adults that develop this disorder usually suffered trauma/abuse as children. This abuse is usually by a parent who is an NPD/sociopath themself. Often the abuse is severe neglect or abandonment. It can even be overvaluing the child. (This may seem counterintuitive, but it's the academic term for "spoiled rotten.") 

The NPD seeks to destroy that which they did not experience. A form of revenge? Envy? I don't know why exactly, but narcissists are attracted to good people who are strong, honest, kind, generous, empathetic, loved and authentic. They didn't have any of that as children. NPDs are incapable of honestly expressing and living those qualities. Others who exemplify and embody those qualities are targeted. And they are then systematically destroyed.

Self esteem isn't the primary reason. Empathy is a significant factor.