Masterarbeit, Otto-Friedrich-Universität Bamberg, 2026

This paper investigates the presence and expressions of trait narcissism in the characters of the two popular Disney-movies The Lion King and Frozen, through a qualitative content-analysis of their song lyrics. The focus lies on comparing the prevalence of grandiose and vulnerable narcissism as defined in the Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Concept and the Vulnerable Isolation and Enmity Concept. Moreover, gender differences were examined. Results indicate that trait narcissism is indeed present in the two movies, though its distribution varies across the movies, codes, and narcissistic dimensions. Regarding gender, male characters show more signs of trait narcissism in The Lion King, whereas female characters express more trait narcissism in Frozen. Grandiose narcissism is seen more with male characters compared to female characters in The Lion King, but not in Frozen. Male characters show more vulnerable narcissism in The Lion King, whereas female characters show more vulnerable narcissism in Frozen. These results are only partially consistent with previous literature on trait narcissism.