How Environment Shapes The Narcissist

For a narcissist to flourish, they need two simple ingredients: A willing sacrifice, and weak boundaries. Yet how the narcissist operates in the world depends enormously on the environment they choose to inhabit.

Narcissistic supply can take many shapes. Sex. Money. Attention. Adulation. Acknowledgement. Compliments. Service. Submission. As the narcissist navigates their community and the greater world, they learn to utilise what is available while appearing to conform to the rules and norms of their environment.

This can take the following forms:

The Schoolyard Narcissist

Narcissists first flex their grandiosity muscle in friendship groups. They begin by spotting someone at school or work whose body language betrays their low self-esteem. The narcissist then showers the target with attention and begins their charm offensive. Any person with low self-esteem who lacks meaningful relationships will grow giddy and feel flattered by such ‘good fortune’.