Development and validation of the Single Item Narcissism Scale (SINS)

PLoS One. 2014 Aug 5;9(8):e103469. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0103469. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Main objectives: The narcissistic personality is characterized by grandiosity, entitlement, and low empathy. This paper describes the development and validation of the Single Item Narcissism Scale (SINS). Although the use of longer instruments is superior in most circumstances, we recommend the SINS in some circumstances (e.g. under serious time constraints, online studies).

Methods: In 11 independent studies (total N = 2,250), we demonstrate the SINS' psychometric properties.

Results: The SINS is significantly correlated with longer narcissism scales, but uncorrelated with self-esteem. It also has high test-retest reliability. We validate the SINS in a variety of samples (e.g., undergraduates, nationally representative adults), intrapersonal correlates (e.g., positive affect, depression), and interpersonal correlates (e.g., aggression, relationship quality, prosocial behavior). The SINS taps into the more fragile and less desirable components of narcissism.

Significance: The SINS can be a useful tool for researchers, especially when it is important to measure narcissism with constraints preventing the use of longer measures.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Affect
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Internet
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Narcissism*
  • Negativism
  • Online Systems
  • Personality Assessment*
  • Personality Inventory
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales*
  • Young Adult

Grants and funding

Sara Konrath was supported by two grants from the John Templeton Foundation while writing this manuscript, via the Character Project (Wake Forest University) and directly from the sponsor (Grant # 47993). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.