Do you often think about joining some community work or giving back to society? Do you feel awe for altruistic people and think that it’s a selfless venture? To some extent it is, but not every action is driven with genuine empathy. Knowing about Communal Narcissism may make you rethink your idea of blindly trusting altruistic people.
In this article we will delve into Narcissism; Covert Narcissists vs Communal Narcissists, what are the signs of Communal Narcissists, what facades they use to appear Altruistic, and how you can combat them.
- Narcissism; Covert Narcissists vs Communal Narcissists
- Understanding Communal Narcissism
- 7 Signs of Communal Narcissism
- Dealing with Communal Narcissism
Covert Narcissists vs Communal Narcissists
Narcissism is the personality tendency to feel an exaggerated sense of self, higher self-entitlement, lacking empathy, being highly envious towards others, and having excessive need for attention and admiration. People with Narcissistic Personality construct their idea of self according to how others perceive them. They want constant admiration and recognition to gratify their unconscious insecurities. Narcissists tend to possess power by utilizing great achievements, vibrant personas, flashy appearances, and self-centered behaviors. They also exert their power to control other people and to feel superior.
We believe that people with Narcissistic Personalities display their traits and motives in an extroverted manner, however, Covert Narcissists is a type of Narcissism where the devious traits hide behind the facade of shyness and anxiousness.
Covert Narcissists subtly display their self-grandiosity and possession of power by appearing helpless and shy.Covert Narcissists carry the persona of kindness only to gain control, but they don’t necessarily work to remain in the spotlight.
Common people mostly confuse them as Communal Narcissists, whereas Communal Narcissists is another type of Narcissism. In this type of Narcissism; Communal Narcissists want to remain in the spotlight but in a subtle way. They are greedy for all the hail and admiration. Communal Narcissists want people to recognize them for the altruistic services they do.
Let’s dig deeper into understanding Communal Narcissism.
Understanding Communal Narcissism
Communal Narcissists are crucial to recognize as their narcissistic behavior is covert, but their personality is mainly extroverted. Moreover,they display themselves as selfless, kind, supportive, empathetic, and altruistic in the community. Furthermore,they tend to project their supremacy by manipulating the values and morals of the society in their favor.
Communal Narcissists hunt for leading positions in the community and works of welfare. They strategically place themselves in positions where they can flaunt their good deeds. Communal Narcissists cash their altruistic acts as great achievements. They get the same level of satisfaction that Narcissists feel after gaining recognition and adulation.
Research states Communal Narcissism is a “superficial self-presentation style”. This indicates their charitable presentation is superficial and purely a framed pathway to maintain their grandiose self-view. [1]
Communal Narcissists project grandiosity in their actions. They have a dominating presence but are smart enough to play democratically to win the people around them.
Let’s focus on the signs Communal Narcissists display to fake their altruism, and how the facade of altruistic empathy could cause narcissistic abuse.
7 Signs of Communal Narcissism
Altruistic Facade
Altruism depicts selfless concern for the world, whereas Communal Narcissists are inherently selfish. Communal Narcissism uses an altruistic persona to attain more adulation towards themselves.
They want subjective gains out of social causes. The welfare works or community dinners they serve, are their means of taking self-sacrificing actions to impress others.
Private vs Public Self
Communal Narcissism has this key element of deviance between private and public behaviors. The best way to identify them is to observe their public display of generosity, compassion, and empathy with people around them. Communal Narcissists will donate a big chunk of their earnings to charity but have an egoistic display of self-entitlement in their private lives.
They might catch your attention with their selfless work for homeless people while doing charity posing photographs with them. But when you visit them personally with no social rewards, Communal Narcissists would show you their selfish side by closing their doors to you.
Manipulative Tactics
Communal Narcissists are the masterminds of trapping others with their self-martyring behaviors. In Communal Narcissism they become excessively generous in helping you through thick and thin, but later on they will induce guilt. They manipulate as you owe them constant admiration and gratitude in exchange for receiving their altruistic services. Communal Narcissists’ inflated sense of self enables them to feel superior for the acts of altruism they’ve done for others.
Extravagant Social Presence
Nothing matters to them more than the social image Communal Narcissists create with the help of posting on social media. They want full coverage of their philanthropy events and the least they could manage is a validating social gathering. Communal Narcissists desperately engage in attention-seeking actions, to make everyone aware of the charitable works they are doing.
You often identify them by their introduction, which has a long list of all the philanthropic works they’ve done. But when you meet Communal Narcissists they would act modest and say: “Oh! That’s nothing, anyone would have done this”. “Oh, I’m flattered it’s the bare minimum I could do for them”.
Playing with Morals and Values
Communal Narcissists are smart individuals who know how to cash moral causes in their favor. They appear to have a higher regard for social norms and values, however, Communal Narcissists only use moral causes to deserve praise from others. Public admiration is central to Communal Narcissists. They believe working on moral issues could help them achieve leadership power goals faster.
Modest Display
Communal Narcissists often project an extremely modest display of their personality. They may show it’s never them but people are hyping up their community works, while they actually want to do it behind the limelight but, it is not always true.
Communal Narcissism has extroversion and grandiose tendencies, which crave social admiration just as self-fulfillment needs. Their modest facade is just another defensive shield to hide their hideous selfishness for entitlements.
Creating Drama
Now this may seem shocking, but Communal Narcissists intentionally create drama at social events and charitable gatherings to divert attention towards them. There’s no certain limit that you can mark about how much praise and attention is enough for Communal Narcissists.
They greatly indulge in self-bragging. Communal Narcissists continuously talk about how well they are contributing to society; “I’m here to bring justice to the world”, “Omg! I want to work for the environmental cause”, and “I can make this world a better place”.
The most concerning fact of Communal Narcissism is that it affects society. Children see their role models as people who are working to help the community. When they witness the grandiosity of Communal Narcissists, they can adapt to similar roles.
On the other hand at deeper levels Communal Narcissists emotionally abuse their significant others with constant need of praise and validation, causing them intense guilt and insecurities. Therefore, it is needed to cope with Communal Narcissism before it takes the shape of Narcissistic Abuse.
Dealing with Communal Narcissism
Establishing Boundaries
Do not take excessive help from Communal Narcissists, set clear boundaries about your needs and rights.
Assertive Behavior
Adapt to assertive behavior by saying no to constant validation and admiration of their self-boasting talks. Be communicative about how the actions of Communal Narcissists are affecting your life.
Seek Social Support
Before you reach out to Communal Narcissists for help, seek social support from your family, friends, colleagues, and support groups. Interact with people who have experience of dealing with Communal Narcissism.
Reshape Your Coping Mechanisms
Communal Narcissists induce guilt when you are at the receiving end of their altruistic services. Be aware of different coping mechanisms and apply them to your situation.
Seek Professional Help
Consult a professional mental health practitioner to keep your emotional and mental well-being in check. Dealing with Communal Narcissism is not easy but a Psychotherapist can help you to combat it.
Further exploring Communal Narcissism helps you to identify Narcissists in other spheres of life.
If you want to know more about Communal Narcissists, then click here!
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