The NPI-16 (Narcissistic Personality Inventory-16) is a widely-used self-report measure designed to assess subclinical narcissistic traits in non-clinical populations. Developed by Ames, Rose, and Anderson (2006) as a shortened version of the original 40-item Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI), this efficient 16-item scale captures the core dimensions of narcissistic personality while significantly reducing administration time. The NPI-16 has become a standard tool in personality and social psychology research, providing a practical alternative to longer narcissism measures without sacrificing psychometric quality.
Understanding Subclinical Narcissism
The NPI-16 measures narcissistic traits that exist on a continuum in the general population, distinct from clinical Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD). These traits include grandiose self-perception, entitlement, willingness to exploit others, and diminished empathy. While clinical NPD is a diagnosable personality disorder characterized by pervasive patterns causing significant impairment, subclinical narcissism refers to personality characteristics that can be found at varying levels across normal populations. Understanding these characteristics is crucial for research in social psychology, organizational behavior, interpersonal relationships, and personality development.
Theoretical Foundation
The NPI-16 is grounded in social-personality theories of narcissism that conceptualize it as a multifaceted construct involving both adaptive and maladaptive components. Based on Raskin and Terry’s (1988) original NPI, which drew from clinical descriptions of narcissistic personality, the measure reflects several theoretical traditions. These include psychodynamic perspectives emphasizing grandiose self-views as compensation for underlying insecurity, social-cognitive approaches focusing on inflated self-perceptions and self-enhancement motives, and interpersonal models highlighting dominance-seeking and lack of communal orientation. The forced-choice format was designed to reduce social desirability bias while capturing the essence of narcissistic self-perception—the tendency to view oneself as superior, special, and entitled to recognition.
Core Dimensions of Narcissistic Traits
Research with the NPI has identified several core components that characterize narcissistic personality:
Grandiosity and superiority encompass inflated self-regard, beliefs about being special or unique, and expectations of admiration and recognition from others. This dimension reflects the narcissist’s conviction of personal exceptionalism.
Entitlement and exploitation involve expectations of special treatment, willingness to take advantage of others for personal gain, and lack of reciprocity in relationships. These traits reflect the instrumental use of others to maintain self-worth.
Authority and leadership capture the desire to be in control and influential, comfort with power and dominance, and assumptions about natural leadership abilities. This dimension represents the agentic aspects of narcissism.
Self-sufficiency involves independence and self-reliance, resistance to depending on others, and high confidence in personal abilities. This reflects the narcissistic emphasis on autonomy and self-admiration.
🎯 Research Focus: The NPI-16 is designed for research purposes and measures normal-range narcissistic traits, not clinical pathology. High scores indicate greater narcissistic characteristics but do not diagnose personality disorders.
Key Features
Assessment Characteristics
16 forced-choice items comparing narcissistic vs. non-narcissistic response pairs
3-5 minutes administration time
Ages 18+ through adult with primary validation in college and adult samples
Public domain for research use
Dichotomous scoring (0 or 1 per item)
Narcissistic Trait Dimensions Assessed
Grandiosity – Inflated self-importance and belief in exceptionalism
Superiority – View of self as better than others
Entitlement – Expectation of special treatment and privileges
Exploitativeness – Willingness to use others instrumentally
Authority – Desire for power and leadership
Self-sufficiency – Emphasis on independence and self-reliance
Vanity – Preoccupation with appearance and admiration
Research and Applied Applications
Clinical research studying subclinical narcissism in non-patient populations
Social psychology research on personality and interpersonal behavior
Organizational studies examining leadership styles and workplace dynamics
Relationship research investigating romantic and social interaction patterns
Developmental psychology tracking narcissistic trait changes across lifespan
Cross-cultural research comparing narcissism across societies and cultures
Assess subclinical narcissistic personality traits using the forced-choice format.
Scoring and Interpretation
Response Format
The NPI-16 uses a forced-choice format where participants select between two statements for each item—one reflecting narcissistic traits and one reflecting non-narcissistic traits. Participants choose the statement that better describes them.
Sample Items
For each pair, participants choose the statement that best applies:
Item Example 1:
A) “I am more capable than other people” (narcissistic response)
B) “There is a lot that I can learn from other people” (non-narcissistic response)
Item Example 2:
A) “I try not to be a show off” (non-narcissistic response)
B) “I am apt to show off if I get the chance” (narcissistic response)
Item Example 3:
A) “I am going to be a great person” (narcissistic response)
B) “I hope I am going to be successful” (non-narcissistic response)
Scoring Procedure
Score 1 point for each narcissistic response selected
Score 0 points for each non-narcissistic response selected
Copyright and Usage Responsibility: Check that you have the proper rights and permissions to use this assessment tool in your research. This may include purchasing appropriate licenses, obtaining permissions from authors/copyright holders, or ensuring your usage falls within fair use guidelines.
The NPI-16 is in the public domain for research purposes. Researchers are encouraged to cite the original development article when using the measure. Commercial use or clinical applications should acknowledge the original authors and consider consulting them regarding appropriate usage.
Proper Attribution: When using or referencing this scale, cite the original development:
Ames, D. R., Rose, P., & Anderson, C. P. (2006). The NPI-16 as a short measure of narcissism. Journal of Research in Personality, 40(4), 440-450.
Ames, D. R., Rose, P., & Anderson, C. P. (2006). The NPI-16 as a short measure of narcissism. Journal of Research in Personality, 40(4), 440-450.
Original NPI Development:
Raskin, R., & Terry, H. (1988). A principal-components analysis of the Narcissistic Personality Inventory and further evidence of its construct validity. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 54(5), 890-902.
Theoretical and Review Papers:
Campbell, W. K., & Foster, J. D. (2007). The narcissistic self: Background, an extended agency model, and ongoing controversies. In C. Sedikides & S. Spencer (Eds.), The self (pp. 115-138). Psychology Press.
Miller, J. D., Lynam, D. R., Hyatt, C. S., & Campbell, W. K. (2017). Controversies in narcissism. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 13, 291-315.
Research Applications:
Miller, J. D., Hoffman, B. J., Gaughan, E. T., Gentile, B., Maples, J., & Campbell, W. K. (2011). Grandiose and vulnerable narcissism: A nomological network analysis. Journal of Personality, 79(5), 1013-1042.
