ABSTRACT
Despite a comprehensive history of narcissism research within mainstream psychology, research on narcissism within sport and exercise psychology is relatively young. Narcissism is consequential for many important life outcomes both, outside as well as inside the sport domain. Agentic aspects of narcissism are characterized by approach motivation and aiming at “getting ahead” rather than at “getting along”. Research on narcissism within sport psychology is young, and the sports context promises to be an ideal environment to systematically study narcissism, its prevalence, development, consequences, and dynamics. Narcissism is a subclinical, relatively stable, multifaceted personality trait that captures agentic, antagonistic, and vulnerable aspects and can be assessed using self-report questionnaires. Narcissism has genetic as well as environmental origins, peaks in early adulthood, and declines thereafter over the lifespan. Agentic aspects of narcissism were found to relate to dominant and assertive behaviours, which are perceived as positive, especially in early, more superficial stages of interaction.
