We Have No Idea What Is Narcissism
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the historical evolution of the concept of narcissism, including the views of Freud, Jung, Kohut, Heinz Franz Cote, and Karen Horney. Narcissism is constructed around a schizoid core, which pushes the narcissist to introvert. Traumas in early childhood can have long-term effects, and the child’s perception of the trauma is different from that of adults. Narcissism can develop as a coping strategy for children who have experienced trauma, and the development of self-esteem is derived from early daily experience with attachment figures.
Narcissist’s Internal Family System: Parts in Conflict
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the concepts of pseudo-identities, self-states, and complexes in individuals with mental health disorders. He explains the differences between these concepts and how they affect a person’s behavior, emotions, and thoughts. He also discusses the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model and its three types of parts: managers, exiles, and firefighters, and how they interact with each other. Ultimately, without treatment, personality disordered people can withdraw into a schizoid phase, disappearing externally as they had always been absent and void internally.
Narcissist’s Partner: Womb, Fetish (Schizoid Undead Reborn, Borderline, Codependent)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the evolution of the ego and how it is molded through external object relations. He explains that bad object relations with caregivers can lead to a child becoming schizoid or creating a false self to maintain external object relations while shielding the schizoid inner absence. Individuals with personality disorders, such as narcissism, paranoia, depression, borderline, and codependency, use different solutions to cope with their inner emptiness and lack of object relations. The role of the intimate partner in the life of a narcissist is regulatory and life-sustaining, and they serve as the safe zone where the narcissist can be himself and experience the schizoid state. Ultimately, all narcissists, borderlines, and codependents end up losing the battle and becoming full-fledged
Vaccinate Yourself Against Narcissism Virus NOW: It Evades Your Immunity! Real Pandemic Is Here!
Narcissism is a global pandemic that affects people across cultures and societies. To protect oneself from narcissism, one should educate themselves about it, maintain boundaries, and expose themselves to weakened versions of narcissism to build psychological immunity. As herd immunity against narcissism develops, the virus is under pressure to evolve into psychopathy. By following the same steps of education, distancing, and vaccination, humanity can ultimately win the war against narcissism and psychopathy.
Pathologizing Vulnerable, Normalizing Power: Where Psychologists Fear to Tread
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the blurred lines between delusion and belief, and the reluctance of psychologists to pathologize certain behaviors, such as religious beliefs and conspiracy theories. He questions the integrity of the profession and the DSM, highlighting the gender bias in pathologizing certain personality traits and the fear of confronting powerful groups. Vaknin also criticizes the opportunistic nature of psychology and psychiatry, and the lack of transparency in the inclusion and exclusion of diagnoses in the DSM.
Collapsed Somatic, Psychopathic Cerebral, Transforming Shared Fantasy
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the narcissist’s shared fantasy and how it affects their relationships and behavior. Narcissists use shared fantasies to relate to the world and regulate their moods. When a narcissist fails in their attempts to maintain their fantasies, they may transition into other types of narcissism or even psychopathy. Intelligence plays a crucial role in the psychopathic antisocial choices of collapsed narcissists, as they need to believe in their own intelligence to maintain their false narratives and illusions.
Chair Work Be Your Abuser, Talk To Him Her For 10 Minutes
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the concept of nothingness and suggests using chair work, a psychological technique, to better understand oneself and others. He reads excerpts from Oliver Sacks’ book “The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat” and James Tiptree’s “Meet Me at Infinity” to illustrate the importance of memory, identity, and self-discovery. Vaknin emphasizes the need to let go of ego and status, and to embrace empathy and understanding in order to grow and change.
Narcissists, Psychosis, Eternal Victims: Splitting the Inner Dialog
Narcissists feel like victims because of a disruption in their inner dialogue, leading to confusion between internal and external objects. This confusion is resolved through a defense mechanism called splitting, where the narcissist sees themselves as all bad and the world as all good, or vice versa. This can lead to dissociation and other mental health issues. Trauma and addiction can also be linked to this disrupted inner dialogue.
Why Psychology Will Never Be a Science
Psychology is not a science and can never be one due to its nature as an art form and extension of literature. It fails to meet the criteria of scientific theories, such as yielding testable, falsifiable predictions and being consistent or complete. Psychological theories are more like metaphors or narratives that help people understand themselves and their interactions with others. While psychology attempts to maintain a scientific appearance through observation, measurement, and experimentation, it ultimately lacks the substance of true science.
False “Recovered” Memories or Real Abuse? (University Lecture)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the formation of false memories, particularly in the context of trauma and therapy. He emphasizes the potential for therapists to inadvertently influence the creation of false memories in their patients, and warns against the dangers of perpetuating victimhood for financial gain. He also delves into the psychological and neurological processes involved in memory formation and retrieval, as well as the impact of suggestibility, attachment styles, and mood on the creation of false memories.