Interpersonal Dynamics:

Interpersonal dynamics is research into the complex, changing patterns of interaction, communication, and responses between individuals—the driving force behind how relationships form, evolve, deteriorate. In a work meeting, dynamics might include a colleague’s tendency to interrupt others, the manager’s reluctance to give constructive feedback, and the group’s overall lack of psychological safety. It’s also a way to understand how narcissism affects relationships and social functioning, including potential for abuse, manipulation, and difficulty maintaining healthy relationships. Studies look at why narcissists have challenges with forming/maintaining relationships and empathy, and with exploiting/ manipulating others. Perceiving narcissists as domineering, cold, or controlling can affect their wellbeing—potentially leading to emotional distress, relationship issues, and abuse. Behavior of grandiose narcissists can lead to conflicts and strain close relationships. Vulnerable narcissists can act with clinginess, withdrawal, and difficulty in forming healthy relationships, due to secret narcissistic tendencies. Narcissists may engage in abuse cycling from idealization todevaluation todiscard—extremely damaging to their partner. Two theoretical frameworks:

• Dynamic self-regulatory processing model suggests narcissists use interpersonal relationships to enhance their self-esteem and limit experiences of vulnerability. 
• Interpersonal circumplex model examines narcissism through the lens of interpersonal behaviors, categorizing them into different quadrants based on dominance and warmth.