Two studies were designed to clarify the roles of normal, grandiose, and vulnerable narcissistic traits in the initiation of romantic relationships. Study 1 examined whether these traits were differentially predictive of relationship initiation motives connected to self-enhancement (i.e., motives that concern increasing positive sentiments towards the self), self-protection (i.e., motives that concern decreasing negative sentiments towards the self), and intimacy. The question of what types of partners (i.e., admiring, desirable, and caring) are considered attractive by people with differing levels of these narcissistic dimensions was also investigated. Normal narcissism was connected to the diminished adoption of self-enhancement and self-protection relationship initiation motives. The grandiose narcissistic traits, in contrast, were generally related to the increased adoption of self-enhancement motives and an increased attraction towards desirable romantic partners. Last, the vulnerable narcissistic traits were connected to the increased adoption of both self-enhancement and self-protection relationship initiation motives. Study 2 examined the roles of these traits in actual dyadic interactions using a paradigm similar to speed-dating. Normal narcissism was associated with the expression of dominant and confident behaviors. The grandiose narcissistic traits were generally linked to the expression of dominance and gregariousness; moreover, participants with greater levels of the grandiose traits were considered more attractive and desirable by their dates. Findings for the vulnerable narcissistic traits were not as straightforward as there were few connections between these traits and outcomes in the interpersonal interactions. Taken together, this dissertation demonstrates that the different narcissism dimensions play unique and important roles in the romantic relationship initiation process.
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