Mama’s Boy or Daddy’s Girl? (Compilation)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses how various types of dysfunctional fathers can impact the development and expression of pathological narcissism in their children. He explains that while the formation of pathological narcissism occurs in the first 36 months of life and is primarily influenced by the mother or maternal figure, the father’s role becomes significant later on, shaping how the child’s narcissism manifests. Vaknin categorizes fathers who exacerbate narcissism in their children into several types, including the dead father, the shameful father, the intermittent father, the antisocial entitled father, the fantasy-prone father, the harsh and critical father, the unjust and sadistic father, the dysregulated father, the incestuous father, the parentifying father, the instrumentalizing father, the pedestalizing father, and the submissive, codependent father. Each type contributes to the child’s narcissistic pathology in different ways, often leading to a variety of narcissistic outcomes in adulthood.
Narcissist Devalues, Discards What He Craves Most: Shared Fantasy as Reaction Formation
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the concept of the narcissist shared fantasy as a form of reaction formation. He explains that reaction formation is a defense mechanism in which unacceptable impulses are replaced with their exact opposite in consciousness. This mechanism is developed in childhood as a result of conditional love and the need to suppress one’s desires and individuality to gain acceptance. Vaknin also explores the connection between reaction formation, socialization, and the fragility of morality, and how it can unravel under stress, leading to acts of cruelty and abuse.
Narcissism Virus: Genes, Deception, Brain, Mind (Compilation)
Narcissists and psychopaths are facing increasing difficulties in finding victims due to heightened awareness and stigmatization of their behaviors. As victim awareness grows and behaviors associated with narcissistic abuse become criminalized, the pool of potential targets shrinks. This leads to a situation where predators may team up to hunt collectively, as predicted by game theory models like the Hawk-Dove model and the Lotka-Volterra predator-prey model. These models suggest that as the number of predators increases and the number of prey decreases, the predator population will eventually decline. This raises questions about the role of predators like narcissists and psychopaths in society and whether their decline could lead to trophic cascades, which are powerful indirect interactions that can control entire ecosystems. The future impact of increased awareness, stigmatization, and criminalization on the survival and behaviors of narcissists and psychopaths remains an open question.
Narcissist’s Father: Daddy Issues Typology
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the impact of fathers on the development and manifestation of pathological narcissism in children. He explains that while the mother’s role is critical in the early stages of a child’s life, the father’s influence comes later and can affect how the child’s narcissism is expressed in adulthood. Vaknin outlines various types of fathers, such as the dead, shameful, intermittent, entitled, and harsh fathers, and explains how each type can contribute to the exacerbation of a child’s narcissism. He emphasizes the importance of the father’s role in redirecting and mitigating the child’s narcissism and highlights the negative impact of mentally disturbed fathers on their children.
Is Homosexuality Natural?
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the recent legalization of same-sex marriage and parenting in Greece, and the biological and environmental factors influencing homosexuality. He explores the presence of homosexuality in the animal kingdom and its potential evolutionary and biological advantages, suggesting that it may be a form of pleasurable sexual play and a mechanism for population dynamics. Vaknin emphasizes the need for greater tolerance and understanding of human sexual diversity, and the importance of studying biology in shaping societal attitudes towards sexuality.
Narcissist’s Hunger Games: Predator and Prey (YOU) (Trophic Cascade)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the dynamics of predator and prey, focusing on narcissists and psychopaths. He explains how the increasing awareness, stigmatization, and criminalization of narcissistic abuse are making it more difficult for predators to find prey. Vaknin explores the mathematical and ecological models of predator-prey relationships, drawing parallels between narcissists and psychopaths and predators in nature. He raises questions about the potential impact of decreasing prey populations on the survival and behavior of narcissists and psychopaths, and the possible cascading effects within human society.
Why Narcissist Desires YOU, Why YOU Fall for It (Conation, Doxastic Voluntarism, Base Rate Fallacy)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the psychological mechanism of conation and its role in the narcissist’s unwavering conviction in the shared fantasy. Conation is the driving force behind the narcissist’s belief in the shared fantasy and the idealized version of their partner. The lecture delves into the base rate fallacy, implicit bias, and the influence of conation on the narcissist’s behavior. It also explores the connection between conation and the narcissist’s pursuit of the shared fantasy, as well as the impact of doxastic attitudes and doxastic voluntarism on the dynamics of the shared fantasy.
Why Do We Keep Fighting Wars (Compilation)
Sam Vaknin discusses the psychology of war, emphasizing that war brings out both the best and worst in humanity, often seen as the epitome of masculinity. War leads to negative identity formation, where each side dehumanizes the other, casting the conflict as a morality play. War is also seen as a game, with veterans from opposing sides often friendly post-conflict, suggesting a role-playing element. Winning a war is seen as validation and proof of divine blessing. War mediates the tension between individual and collective through the concept of self-sacrifice. Vaknin also touches on the psychological effects of witnessing war from a distance, which can lead to a sense of vicarious gratification and virtue signaling, as well as the intense trauma experienced by those in close proximity to war. He notes that politicians view war as an inevitable tool, while the general populace often finds war entertaining despite underlying anxiety. Human psychology predisposes us to aggression, and war caters to deep psychological needs, leading to innovation and new social orders. Repeated exposure to violence can result in desensitization, dehumanization, and a post-traumatic state. Vaknin concludes that war, like climate change, is an inherent human phenomenon that we should accept and adapt to rather than futilely attempt to eliminate.
“I Miss ME!”: Self-estrangement in Narcissistically Abusive Relationships
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the concept of self-estrangement and self-alienation in the context of narcissistic abuse. He explains how the narcissist manipulates the victim’s mind, leading to a feeling of being unrecognizable to oneself. The victim’s internal voice becomes dominated by the narcissist’s introject, leading to a sense of emptiness and dissociation from one’s true self. This process involves a complex interplay of defense mechanisms, emotional dysregulation, and the impact of early attachment trauma. The victim’s symptoms are seen as a compromise formation and a resistance to change, requiring a focus on emotional closeness, experiencing, and anxiety regulation in treatment.
Pathological Narcissism: Does It Exist? (with Kelly Brogan, MD)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the concept of narcissism, distinguishing between the clinical entity and its role as an explanatory principle in modern society. He emphasizes that narcissism is a defense mechanism resulting from early childhood experiences, particularly with the mother, and that it is a lifelong automatic process. Vaknin explains that narcissists lack a functional self and are unable to perceive others as separate, leading to a disruption in forming a functioning self. He also addresses the different trajectories of narcissism based on childhood experiences and the fluidity of narcissistic behaviors. Additionally, he delves into the relational consequences of narcissism, particularly in romantic relationships, and the subconscious intention of individuals with narcissistic patterns.