Narcissistic Personality and Reactions to Uncivil Behavior

Abstract

Uncivil behavior at the working place may lead to extra costs to the company in the long run. Uncivil behavior diminishes well-being and job satisfaction at individual level and decreases productivity, often leading to higher turnover at organizational level. This study focuses on individual experiences and responses of uncivil behavior among Finnish employees. A group of 214 working individuals were asked to complete the questionnaire by thinking about one person who behaved in an uncivil way at work in the past or current working place. They evaluate the uncivil person’s behavior with Narcistic Personality Disorder (NPI) as well as their own behavior when facing uncivil behavior. NPI produced with principal component analyses six dimensions of Narcistic behavior instead of seven dimensions, which was case in original version. Respondents were usually avoiding uncivil behavior, and especially respondents who feel insecure around uncivil people tend to avoid such people. However, when respondents appraised themselves as having good psychological eye or narcistic traits, they did not feel themselves insecure around uncivil behavior nor did they avoid them. The results are discussed in terms of how Finnish culture may impact on experiencing uncivil behavior.