Narcissism and Sports
Chapter from the book:
Uluç,
E.
A.
&
Karademir,
M.
B.
(eds.)
2023.
Research on Sport Sciences- IV.
Synopsis
Narcissism is a sport-related phenomenon that can be observed in many different dimensions. Since sports are closely associated with competition, success and the pursuit of personal power, it is thought to be an attractive environment for individuals with narcissistic personality traits. Narcissistic individuals may use sports as a tool to inflate their self-perception, demonstrate their superiority, and gain praise. They tend to take pride in their achievements, trying to prove their superiority by comparing themselves to other athletes. Although narcissism is seen as a bad concept, it can make some contributions in sports. Sport encourages personal development, teaches focus on goals and provides discipline. If narcissistic tendencies are managed in a healthy way, sports can increase the self-confidence of narcissistic individuals and help them form a positive identity. In summary, Sports can offer both opportunities and challenges for individuals with narcissistic traits. The important thing is to manage narcissistic tendencies in a healthy way and to benefit from the positive aspects of sports.