Previous studies have demonstrated that highly narcissistic individuals perceive themselves as grandiose and devaluate and sometimes overvalue others. These results are mainly based on behavioural data, but we still know little about the neural correlates underlying, such as perceptional processes. To this end, we investigated event-related potential components (ERP) of visual face processing (P1 and N170) and their variations with narcissism. Participants (N = 59) completed the Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Questionnaire and were shown pictures of their own face, a celebrity’s face, and a stranger’s face. Variations of P1 and N170 with Admiration and Rivalry were analysed using multilevel models. Results revealed moderating effects of both narcissism dimensions on the ERP components of interest. Participants with either high Admiration or low Rivalry scores showed a lower P1 amplitude when viewing their own face compared with when viewing a celebrity’s face. Moreover, the Self-Stranger difference in the N170 component (higher N170 amplitude in the Self condition) was larger for higher Rivalry scores. The findings showed, for the first time, variations of both narcissism dimensions with ERPs of early face processing. We related these effects to processes of attentional selection, an expectancy-driven perception, and the mobilisation of defensive systems. The results demonstrated that by linking self-report instruments to P1 and N170, and possibly to other ERP components, we might better understand self- and other-perception in narcissism.

先前的研究表明，高度自恋的人认为自己很浮夸，贬低甚至有时高估他人。这些结果主要基于行为数据，但我们对潜在的神经相关性（例如感知过程）仍然知之甚少。为此，我们研究了视觉面部处理的事件相关电位成分（ERP）（P1和N170）及其随自恋的变化。参与者（N = 59）完成了自恋崇拜和竞争问卷，并向他们展示了自己的脸、名人的脸和陌生人的脸的照片。使用多级模型分析了 P1 和 N170 随钦佩和竞争的变化。结果揭示了两个自恋维度对 ERP 兴趣组成部分的调节作用。与观看名人的面部相比，钦佩分数高或竞争分数低的参与者在观看自己的面部时表现出较低的 P1 幅度。此外，竞争分数越高，N170 成分中的自我陌生人差异（自我条件下的 N170 幅度越高）就越大。研究结果首次表明，两个自恋维度随早期面部处理的 ERP 的变化。我们将这些影响与注意力选择过程、期望驱动的感知和防御系统的动员联系起来。结果表明，通过将自我报告工具与 P1 和 N170 以及可能的其他 ERP 组件联系起来，我们可以更好地理解自恋中的自我和他人感知。