Can you argue a narcissist out of narcissism?

Empathy as a genetic variable

Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

Scientists now understand how empathy works. Can you talk someone out of narcissism? Does elusive childhood trauma cause a lack of empathy? Most probably, the answer is no. Narcissist. Will. Never. Change.

Why? Genetics.

Empathy is a reaction of an individual to the observed experience of others. Empathy can be measured; it is called a multifaceted empathy test. With a maximum score of 84 and a minimum score of 28, the self-reported questionnaire underlines the full spectrum of human empathy. The opposite of empathy is schadenfreude. Schadenfreude is a complex emotion when one takes pleasure from observing someone’s suffering.

Genetics

One of the ways empathy is embedded in human behavior is via the signaling of the hormone oxytocin. The oxytocin system is primarily defined by genetics, and one of the most studied genetic variants (rs53576) is related to empathy. Normal variations (GG, AA, AG) of rs53576 are widely different across the globe. The most empathetic GG variant has been linked to better social functioning and more balanced oxytocin functioning. An average of 40 % of the world’s population carries an empathetic GG variant with the highest prevalence in the African population (65%) and the lowest in the Chinese population(8–18%). The least empathetic AA variant represents approximately 17% of the world’s population, with the highest predominance in East Asia and the lowest in African Americans from Barbados (1%). Lack of empathy predisposes individuals to be less pro-social and even derive a sort of pleasure from the misfortune of others. AA people lack empathic concern or the ability to understand the perspective of others. According to research, they don’t seem to value or need social support as much as others; according to research, the cortisol level is lower in emotionally supported AGs and GGs but not in AA individuals. Due to their unique oxytocin signaling, AA (genetic polymorphism) individuals experience schadenfreude, a pleasure witnessing the downfall of others.