This next test comes straight from interrogation rooms, and narcissists absolutely collapse under it. Here’s how the question works: “What do you think should happen to the person who did this?” This question hits the mind in a very specific way. A guilty person, especially a narcissist, responds differently from an innocent person. Innocent people usually give reasonable, normal, balanced answers. But narcissists react in extremes. Some give very harsh punishments to look innocent; some give very soft punishments to protect themselves. Some suddenly get nervous, some lean back, some blink rapidly, and some freeze.
Here’s the interesting part: even kids fail this test. In Chase Hughes’s example, one child who didn’t do anything said something simple like, “Maybe no more chocolate milk in the living room.” But the guilty child listed extreme punishments like, “Spanking, grounded, no Xbox, no going outside.” She overreacted because she was guilty and felt exposed. Adults do the same thing, especially narcissists. So when you ask this question and someone suddenly becomes overly intense, overly emotional, overly defensive, or overly dramatic, you’ve hit the truth. Narcissists fail this test because they can’t balance their reaction; they always overplay or underplay it.
Test Number Ten: The First Date Psychopath Test.
This test is especially powerful in dating. Here’s how it works: you bring up a topic that narcissists hate—something that hits the center of their identity. For example, say this casually: “You’d be surprised how many women end up dating manipulative, narcissistic guys without even knowing it.” Then stop talking and watch their reaction. A normal person will say things like, “Yeah, that’s horrible. I hate that. People like that are disgusting.” Their face will show empathy; their eyebrows will move, their body will lean in, and their blink rate will stay normal.
But a narcissist? The moment you mention narcissistic men, their body responds instantly. Their blink rate spikes. Their chest rises with shallow breaths. Their posture stiffens. Their lips tighten. Their shoulders tense. Their face stops moving. Their eyes look away or freeze. They might remain quiet, change the subject, or give a weird half-answer. This tiny test triggers their insecurity; it hits a nerve, and their mask slips.
Then follow up with the second part of the test: “What do you think should happen to guys like that?” Now you’re combining two powerful tests: the narcissism trigger and the punishment question. Narcissists fail this every single time; they cannot respond naturally. They can’t hide the stress—their body exposes them instantly.
Test Number Eleven: Elicitation—Getting Truth Without Asking Questions.
This is one of the most powerful techniques used by intelligence officers, including Chase Hughes, and narcissists always fall for it. The rule is simple: the more sensitive the information you want, the fewer questions you ask. Instead of asking questions, you use statements that make them reveal information on their own.
The Tables Have Turned, and They Hope You Never Know
There are three main elicitation methods: