A Comparison of the Nomological Networks Associated With Forced-Choice and Likert Formats of the Narcissistic Personality Inventory

J Pers Assess. 2018 May-Jun;100(3):259-267. doi: 10.1080/00223891.2017.1310731. Epub 2017 Apr 24.

Abstract

The Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI) is one of the most popular measures of narcissism. However, its use of a forced-choice response set might negatively affect some of its psychometric properties. The purpose of this research was to compare a Likert version of the NPI, in which only the narcissistic response of each pair was given, to the original NPI, in 3 samples of participants (N = 1,109). To this end, we compared the nomological networks of the forced-choice and Likert formats of the NPI in relation to alternative measures of narcissism, narcissistic personality disorder, entitlement, self-esteem, general personality traits (reported by self and informants), interpersonal styles, and general pathological traits included in the DSM-5. The Likert format NPI-total and subscales-manifested similar construct validity to the original forced-choice format across all criteria with only minor differences that seem to be due mainly to the increased reliability and variability found in the Likert NPI Entitlement/Exploitativeness subscale. These results provide evidence that a version of the NPI that employs a Likert format can justifiably be used in place of the original.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Employment
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Internal-External Control*
  • Male
  • Narcissism*
  • Personality Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Personality Inventory / standards
  • Psychometrics
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Self Concept
  • Students / psychology
  • Young Adult