2007 Volume 15 Issue 2 Pages 195-204
According to Harter (1999), self-system develops from heteronomous to autonomous, but Kajita suggested earlier (1980) that self-oriented self-evaluative process and other-oriented process develop as independent and orthogonal factors. To examine these models, this study investigated developmental changes in the correlation between grandiosity and hyper-sensitivity, which were self-oriented and other-oriented processes, respectively, from the viewpoint that conceptualizes narcissism as self-worth maintenance system. Results showed that the correlation coefficient for each grade, from the 6th grade to undergraduates with a total of 1447 respondents, weakened progressively, and the correlation disappeared after the 9th grade. The result was consistent with the first of the two models; grandiosity and hyper-sensitivity gradually differentiated as the person matured. In conclusion, necessity of in-depth consideration of individual variation in self-worth maintenance system and its development was discussed.
