Yes, narcissists often underestimate other people, especially if those individuals do not meet the narcissist's inflated standards or if they do not provide the desired level of admiration, attention, or validation. There are a few reasons why this happens:
Sense of superiority: Narcissists typically have an inflated sense of their own abilities, talents, and importance. They may believe they are more intelligent, attractive, or skilled than others. Consequently, they may underestimate the capabilities or worth of those they perceive as "less than" themselves.
Lack of empathy: Narcissists often struggle with empathy, which means they have difficulty understanding and appreciating the perspectives, feelings, and needs of others. As a result, they may not recognize the strengths or value of others and may dismiss them as unworthy or unimportant.
Idealization and devaluation: Narcissists tend to engage in a pattern of idealizing people during the early stages of a relationship, seeing them as perfect and superior. However, if these individuals fail to live up to the narcissist's unrealistic expectations or challenge their grandiose self-image, the narcissist may shift to devaluing them and underestimating their abilities or worth.
Need for control: Narcissists often seek to maintain control and power in relationships. Underestimating others can be a way for them to assert dominance and reinforce their belief that they are superior and more competent.
Defense mechanism: Underestimating others can also serve as a defense mechanism for narcissists to protect their fragile self-esteem. By downplaying the abilities of others, they can avoid feeling inadequate or threatened by those who may pose a challenge to their self-perception.
It's important to remember that while some narcissists may underestimate others, not all narcissists behave in the same way. Narcissism exists on a spectrum, and individual differences can be significant. Additionally, diagnosing someone as a narcissist or any other mental health condition requires a professional assessment by a qualified mental health professional.