When Traits Get Reinforced - NPD Through Skinner's Lens

Welcome back! This week’s discussion will focus on using behavioral techniques based on B. F. Skinner’s theory of personality to better understand Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD). Unlike some of the theories we have discussed over the previous weeks, Skinner’s work may feel more familiar to you, as he is widely recognized for pioneering behavior modification through reinforcement. It is one of the few techniques that is easily adaptable to many settings, so people will often see it in non-clinical settings like schools and even in home environments - think rewards charts used to encourage your kids to use the potty. Since Skinner’s approach emphasizes observable behavior, it provides a practical lens for examining narcissistic behavior and how they are maintained.

From a behaviorist perspective, NPD is not a fixed personality structure but instead a pattern of reinforced behaviors that have been maintained over time. Patterns such as attention-seeking, entitlement, lack of care for others’ needs are often seen in NPD, and based on Skinner’s theory of personality have been repeatedly reinforced by the environment. This would be an example of what may be described as enabling behavior, such as compliance from others despite inappropriate behaviors exhibited including attention-seeking behaviors, entitlement, and a lack of care for others. While an outcome may be desired, if there is no chance for reinforcement it is not likely to strengthen. Kroencke et al. (2023) note that narcissistic behaviors increase when the desired feedback is perceived as attainable, supporting the role of reinforcement in maintaining the patterns. The structure of NPD based on this model is in the consistency of these behaviors across settings where reinforcement is present. Skinner describes the process that maintains the behaviors as operant conditioning. Cervone and Pervin (2003) explain that this view of personality would say that the maladaptive behaviors are learned and thus can be unlearned based on the environment, reinforcement, and extinction.

From a growth and developmental perspective, Skinner’s theory says that traits associated with NPD have developed gradually over time. This would suggest that someone that has NPD did not have the traits at birth but the behaviors that are now viewed as maladaptive began early and were reinforced. Think of a child throwing a tantrum when their parents are not paying them attention, the child gets the attention and now the attention-seeking behavior has been reinforced. There are likely examples in your own life in which you witnessed similar or even actively participated in the cycle. As these patterns are strengthened over time they become even more difficult to change. From this lens, psychopathology is not about a defect, but instead about maladaptive behaviors that have persisted and strengthened over time due to reinforcement. This approach still recognizes that traits can be modified, including traits associated with NPD. In clinical practice this can be done by reducing reinforcement of maladaptive behaviors and increasing reinforcement of prosocial behaviors.

Using Skinner’s theory of personality can be helpful in addressing NPD patterns, as it is acknowledged that the patterns are not unchangeable traits. This means that with pattern identification and changes to reinforcement and responses, change is possible.

References

Cervone, D., & Pervin, L. A. (2023). Personality: Theory and research (15th ed.). Wiley.

Kroencke, L., Kuper, N., Mota, S., Geukes, K., Zeigler-Hill, V., & Back, M. D. (2023). Narcissistic status pursuit in everyday social life: A within-person process approach to the behavioral and emotional dynamics of narcissism. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 125(6), 1519–1541. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspp0000467