Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the concept of malignant narcissism, which is a combination of narcissism, psychopathy, and sadism. He explains that sadistic narcissists use hate bombing and abuse to test the loyalty and allegiance of their partners. The sadistic narcissist’s
In this lecture, Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the development of pathological narcissism and its underlying psychodynamics. He explains that narcissism is a post-traumatic condition that begins in early childhood when a child’s need to be seen by their primary caregiver
In this lecture, Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the concept of the unconscious and its role in narcissism. He explains that defense mechanisms are automatic but not unconscious, and that the concept of the unconscious is debatable in psychology. He also
Professor Sam Vaknin explains that mental health diagnoses have three elements: etiology, psychodynamics, and behavioral manifestations. When comorbidities occur, one disorder is dominant and dictates the patient’s behaviors, while the other disorder contributes only in specific circumstances. Transitioning between self-states
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses whether narcissistic abuse is intentional or not. He argues that while the actions of narcissists fulfill a purpose, they are not intentional, as narcissists lack a core identity and cannot distinguish between reality and fantasy. In
Pathological narcissism involves the combination of victimhood and grandiosity, which are cognitive distortions and reaction formations. The narcissist uses these to compensate for feelings of weakness and shame, creating a false narrative of perfection. Both victimhood and grandiosity involve emotionally
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the importance and mechanics of creating a case study. He emphasizes the narrative and conclusion components, which include facts, context, theories, assumptions, analysis, criticism, and solutions. He also highlights the need to consider the audience and
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the concept of fantasy and narcissistic elation, emphasizing the role of fantasy in regulating the narcissist’s emotions and self-perception. He explains the differences between the bad object and the idealized object, and how they relate to
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the role of the false self in pathological narcissism, focusing on its function to silence inner voices, known as introjects. The false self acts as a censor, banishing conflicting introjects and creating a one-party state in
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses gaslighting by proxy, where third parties are used to manipulate and distort reality to make the victim doubt their perception. He explains three examples: flying monkeys, triangulation, and the Karpman drama triangle. Flying monkeys collaborate with
Sam Vaknin is best known for his work on narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). He gained prominence as the author of the book “Malignant Self-Love: Narcissism Revisited,” in which he explores narcissism, particularly malignant narcissism, from both personal and clinical perspectives. Vaknin has claimed to be a narcissist himself, and his work is often written from an insider’s viewpoint.
He’s also known for:
Being controversial: He’s not a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist, which has drawn criticism from mental health professionals.
YouTube and interviews: He has a strong online presence, especially on YouTube, where he discusses psychology, narcissism, relationships, and sometimes geopolitics.
Academic affiliations: He has served as a visiting professor and lecturer in various universities, particularly in Eastern Europe.
His insights have been influential in popular discussions about narcissism, though they’re often debated in clinical circles.
Vaknin Talks
Great Reset: True Healing Only After Hitting Rock Bottom (with Vera Faria Leal)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, highlighting its historical, religious, and economic dimensions. He emphasizes the intractability of the conflict and the lack of compromise due to the intertwining of religious, nationalistic, and economic factors.
Vaknin also delves into the psychological underpinnings of the conflict, discussing narcissism, victimhood, and the need for a collective crucifixion or apocalypse to bring about transformation.
He stresses the importance of philosophers, psychoanalysts, and psychologists in the negotiation process and advocates for a shift towards communitarianism as a potential solution.
How Narcissists, Psychopaths Shot Themselves in the Foot (Ecosystem, Predator-Prey, Victimhood)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the evolution of narcissists and psychopaths in targeting victims and how they have adapted their strategies to the changing times.
He explains how the growing awareness of narcissistic abuse has made it more difficult for predators to find victims, leading them to transition from hunting individuals to targeting groups and reshaping society to create an environment conducive to their behavior.
This has resulted in a binary ecosystem where individuals are forced to choose between being predators or prey, leading to the rise of victimhood movements and paranoia. However, this has also created an imbalance between the number of predators and prey, as well as a situation where victims seek out abusers, ultimately backfiring on the narcissists and psychopaths.
Why You Buy Into Narcissist’s Simulated Existence
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the nature of narcissists, likening them to computer programs or artificial intelligence.
He explains that the narcissist’s ability to mimic human behavior does not make them truly human, and they lack empathy and positive emotions. Vaknin describes how narcissists manipulate and deceive others by triggering internal processes, reorganizing their minds, and using attribution errors.
He attributes the narcissist’s behavior to early childhood abuse and trauma, suggesting that they are the product of their environment and genetic predisposition.
Narcissist Female Bosses Outbest Male Narcissist CEOs
In this lecture, Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the prevalence of narcissism in corporate leadership, particularly focusing on the performance of narcissistic female chief executive officers.
He highlights a study that suggests narcissistic female CEOs outperform their male counterparts and that their narcissism is associated with improved company performance.
The study also suggests that female CEOs are able to suppress the dark side of narcissism and leverage traits such as empathy and networking, leading to superior corporate outcomes. Additionally, the lecture touches on the impact of narcissistic tendencies of chief financial officers on corporate digital transformation, suggesting that narcissism in upper management may be a beneficial corporate asset.
Narcissist Stalks Your Dreams, Nightmares
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the concept of lucid dreaming and its application to the narcissist’s shared fantasy.
He explains how the narcissist manipulates and entrains the victim into the shared fantasy, triggering repressed memories and emotional release.
The lecture delves into the psychological impact of the shared fantasy, the role of dreams in processing trauma, and the brain’s response to threats and stress during sleep. Vaknin emphasizes the importance of paying attention to nightmares and dreams as they may provide insight and self-awareness to help individuals navigate the shared fantasy.
Mental Illness, Left and Right with Prof. Ed Dutton, Jolly Heretic
Professor Sam Vaknin, an expert on narcissism and diagnosed narcissist, discussed various aspects of narcissism, including its nature, types, and prevalence in society.
He explained that narcissism is characterized by an absence of true self, replaced by a false self that acts as an imaginary friend or deity.
Vaknin also touched on the differences between overt and covert narcissism, the concept of psychopathic narcissism, and the societal and cultural shifts that have led to an increase in narcissistic traits.
Additionally, he addressed the impact of social media on narcissism and the importance of addressing the conflict between men and women as a critical issue for society.
Privatized Empathy and Cowardly Public “Intellectuals”
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the decline of empathy in society, particularly among public intellectuals who prioritize self-interest, power, and manipulation over compassion and care for others. He identifies four groups of intellectuals in Macedonia, including the fearful, the self-interested, the territorial, and the malignantly romantic.
He attributes the behavior of intellectuals in the Balkans, including Macedonia, to the influence of Marxism, socialism, and communism, which redefined the role of intellectuals as leaders and co-opted them into the power machine.
Ultimately, he argues that intellectuals in Macedonia have betrayed their role in invigorating the nation and integrating society and culture into global trends.