Narcissists Are More Common In These Jobs, Research Says
Someone's job can say a lot about them. From their title alone, you can take a guess at how much they have to manage, what sort of industry they're in and what that requires, how busy they might be, and even how much they make. They'll all start as assumptions, sure, but one's job remains a vital part of their living profile.
A job can even give valuable insight into someone's personality, with some jobs indicating worse traits.
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First Impressions
When meeting new people, we all thought we could have some sort of alarm system that would ping when said new person displayed a red flag. Even better, something that would outright tell us if there's something going on with them, if they're a known cheater or a narcissist, for example.
While that ideal world doesn't quite exist yet, there are certain warning signs we can look out for that may give us some insight, including what they do for work. Below are three jobs where narcissism is especially common, so you can make a mental note if someone says they're in one of these positions.
1. Surgeons
In an ideal world, one would hope that the field of medicine remains free from the influence of narcissistic individuals, given the heightened stakes and the potential for long-lasting consequences when dealing with vulnerable populations. Although healthcare professionals, on the whole, tend to exhibit lower scores on dark triad traits (the dark triad being narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism), the landscape is not devoid of its worst members.
Numerous studies have shed light on the fact that surgeons, in particular, have significantly elevated levels of narcissism.
Some, Not All
Of course, not every surgeon out there is a narcissist, many don't sport any dark triad traits at all, so these observations should not serve as grounds for generalization. There are those in the medical field who are actually quite the opposite, displaying endless amounts of empathy toward their patients.
This stark contrast in personality types actually extends to all care professions, including the mental health industry. Just like there are very caring and emotionally sound therapists, there are also some who display very bold narcissism. Don't make yourself too nervous over it, but also exercise a bit of caution when meeting a new provider, just in case.
2. Police Officers
In a 2019 study conducted by Papazoglou and colleagues, they studied 1,173 police officers with some truly shocking results. The findings revealed that a significant 94.7% of the participants exhibited moderate levels of narcissism, with 70% also showcasing moderate levels of Machiavellianism. Strangely, though, the study also indicated lower levels of psychopathy among the participants.
The research revealed that there truly are complex emotional dynamics within law enforcement, ones that can grow to some pretty dark ends.
Bad Begets Bad
There was another noteworthy finding, higher levels of compassion fatigue and burnout (which was present in those surveyed) can amplify the expression of all three dark triad traits, including psychopathy.
Given these results, the law enforcement field might attract individuals with narcissistic tendencies, especially since they're drawn to positions of power and authority where they can exert control over others. When coupled with instances of excessive force, this combination poses a potential threat, creating a hazardous situation for innocent civilians who may become unintended targets. Understanding these psychological nuances is crucial for addressing challenges within law enforcement with the seriousness and urgency they deserve.
3. CEOs
This is, perhaps, the least surprising entry on this list. CEOs have always been portrayed in a very exaggerated light in the media. They're either glorified or demonized, with some of those depictions perhaps being more apt than anyone could have assumed. Business owners range from those who exude compassion to others who navigate the corporate world with a more cutthroat approach, depending on the nature of their businesses.
While acknowledging this spectrum, experts suggest that narcissism appears to be more prevalent among CEOs than in the general population, with some estimates indicating it to be three times more likely for a CEO to be a narcissist than your average Joe.
Climbing The Ranks
A comprehensive Harvard study involving 179 CEOs further proved this trend, revealing upwards of 18 percent of CEOs could be categorized as exhibiting narcissistic traits.
This inclination toward narcissism within the CEO ranks might be attributed to the demanding nature of ascending to such an influential position. The competitive and often ruthless strategies required to reach the pinnacle of corporate leadership may inadvertently foster the development of narcissistic traits. Whether it's a fault of their own or a fault of the system remains a mystery, but it's important to note nonetheless.
More Than Their Job
Of course, this doesn't mean that you should assume every person you come across within these fields or in these positions should be immediately denoted as a narcissist. Life is too complex, too varied, to immediately pigeonhole someone into a personality type based on their job alone.
All that lists like these are meant to provide is an extra layer of thoughtful caution when speaking with someone you feel weirdly about. If you're getting strange vibes from someone who happens to be in one of these professions, maybe start putting up a wall of safety between the two of you and remain vigilant about their behavior. Better to be safe than sorry.
When you're working a job you love, it reflects a more accurate (and more positive) impression of yourself, granting you a happier life and more honest relationships. If you feel like this isn't possible for you, it is; there's still plenty of time left.
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