This paper will be discussing two mental disorders that many people don’t know the difference between are feel are interchangeable among one another: Phycopaths and sociopaths. This will be my reaction to facts and different ideas of the two disorders. Multiple readings will be used to identify the differences as well as the similarities between them. Narcissism is also a disorder people often confuse with just being self-centered but its more than just that.
Introduction
As many are aware a psychopathy and sociopathy are mental disorders that many serial killers and school shooters were diagnosed with. The two disorders have significant differences and shouldn’t be confused with one another. Sociopaths are often called psychopaths and vice versa. Psychopaths, for example, are far more likely to get in trouble with the law while sociopaths are much more likely to blend in with society. And while sociopaths and psychopaths do share some traits, sociopathy or ASPD (antisocial personality disorder) is generally considered less severe than psychopathy (Tracyn, 2015). The term “psychopath” was first applied to these people around 1900. The term was changed to “sociopath” in the 1930s to emphasize the destructive impact they have on society. Currently researchers have returned to using the term “psychopath” to refer to a more serious disorder, linked to genetic traits, which produces more dangerous individuals, while continuing to use “sociopath” to refer to less dangerous people who are seen more as products of their environment, including their upbringing (Hirstein, 2013).
What is Psychopathy?
Psychopathy is one of the most difficult disorders to spot since whoever has it often appears normal or even charming. Deep down they often lack empathy and they are often manipulative, violent and possibly a criminal. Psychopathic traits are more inborn, however a chaotic or violent childhood may tip the scales for those already susceptible to behave psychopathically. Psychopaths are very manipulative and can easily gain people’s trust. They learn to impersonate emotions, despite their inability to actually feel them, and will appear normal to unsuspicious people. Psychopaths are often well educated and hold steady jobs. Some are so good at manipulation and mimicry that they have families and other long-term relationships without those around them ever suspecting their true nature.
Examples of psychopaths
Psychopaths commit some of the most extreme and inhuman crimes. Due to their lack of feeling emotions they are able to do it without hesitation or realizing the nature of what they are doing. The most known serial killers such as Ted Bundy and Jeffery Dahmer had this disorder. Ted Bundy had a future in politics and was a pretty well respected man that nobody could have assumed could be a killer and same goes for Dahmer. This is what makes psychopaths so dangerous; you just never know who is one until they finally get caught. They often find it a game or amusing to commit crimes and be on the news or get their picture in the paper. The ones that do commit crimes do it for fun rather than rage or anger. This means they plan everything they do and often only get caught when something goes wrong.
Sociopaths
As was stated earlier, sociopaths are common and suffer from an antisocial disorder. This disorder is usually a result of how they were raised or life experiences. Many people are sociopaths but they mean no harm to the people around them. They can be seen as just cold or dark people that don’t respond well with a lot of interaction which is the opposite to psychopaths which are often in need of attention and try to get it in and way possible. Some psychopaths are also sociopaths but not all sociopaths are psychopaths. Sociopaths often have a conscience and moral standards. They know right from wrong even if they choose to do the wrong thing. Sociopaths are usually nervous and easily disturbed. They are volatile and prone to emotional outbursts like rage. They are likely to be uneducated and live on the bounds of society, unable to keep a job or stay in one place for a long time. It is difficult for sociopaths to have emotional attachments with others. Many sociopaths are able to form an attachment to a particular individual or group, but they have no regard for society in general or its rules. In the eyes of others, sociopaths will appear to be very disturbed. Any crimes committed by a sociopath, including murder, will tend to be disorganized and spontaneous rather than planned (Phycology today, n.d).
Narcissism
Narcissistic Personality Disorder or NPD is a disorder in which a person has an inflated sense of self-importance. This disorder is unique since many people may have it but just goes ignored or people assume its not a disorder and just their personality. Those who are psychopaths and those who are sociopaths can both be narcissist. Individuals with narcissistic personality disorder, whose self-importance soars to such heights that they are easily angered when they don’t receive the attention and admiration that they consider their birthright. Many people are self-centered but narcissism takes that to a whole new level. It’s easy to put the “narcissist” label on someone who spends too much time talking about their career, achievements or just how they are better than others, but pathologically narcissistic personalities are pretty rare. It is estimated that only 1 percent of the population have this disorder. Narcissism is more complicated than it may seem. It’s different from a surplus of self-esteem. Its about a need for appreciation, a sense of specialness, and a lack of empathy, along with other attributes that can prove damaging in relationships (‘Narcissism | Psychology Today’, n.d.).
Personal Reaction
Psychopathy is the most dangerous of the since these people are more unstable and able to blend in easily. Due to them having no emotions or guilt, they can be serial killers pretty easily and effortlessly for years and even decades before getting caught. This is also a result of them planning out everything they do meticulously. They are very intelligent and avoid making mistakes. With that being said it is rarer than just sociopathy so the average person probably won’t come in contact with them unless they are in a field that people with mental disorders are common like a hospital or as a psychologist. I feel like this mental disorder is hard to really understand since some people feel like you are born with it and others feel like everyone is born pure and then are molded into what they become. This argument is often called nature vs nurtured. I side with nature because I feel that people can be born with these disorders and there is nothing anyone can do to change them. It is just part of who they are and who they were meant to be. However, a sociopath is common and they are generally less dangerous since they are just antisocial in most cases. They never really want to harm people but if the right event or person triggers them it’s a different story. For example, Ted Kazinski or the Unabomber was antisocial but when he was in college and was part of a class that was doing psychological tests on the students, he began changing into the person he would later become.
As I was doing research on this topic, I found multiple sites say that they are the same which is why many people think they are the same. One site even said the two disorders are exactly the same and are interchangeable with one other which is very debatable. I feel they can be the same but many people are be individually diagnosed with either or. Narcissism is very detrimental to relationships, work life, as well as personal life. I don’t often hear a lot about the disorder other than people calling others who are self-centered a narcissist.
Many authors have made use of narcissism as a theme of their literary stylistics. The phenomenon of narcissism refers to that state of an individual in which he or she may become the most egoistic, self-obsessed and selfish persons. There are many reasons for which authors have been using the phenomenon of narcissism in their literary undertaking. It may be due to this reason of creating moralistic concerns in the story.
The book The Night in Question by Tobias Wolff includes different stories that have made use of the phenomenon of narcissism. The short stories The Chain and The Life of the Body are two short stories from the book that have depicted characters that destructed their lives themselves for being narcissist. This paper compares the two characters from the two notes short stories to understand their psyche that resulted in self-destruction.
Brian Gold is a narcissist character of the short story The Chain while Wiley is another egoistically charged character from the story The Life of the Body. Brain has been depicted as a character that lived with self-obsession. He wanted to prove his heroic abilities to the world because he believed that in this way, he will be able to get the respect that a man should be earning. It is for this reason that he kept on being anguish with his wife.
Also, people around him greatly pushed him to think about being a brave Jew. It shall be noted that Brain was going through the complex of living a simple life as he had no enemies. In order to prove that he was a powerful person, he expressed his anger towards everyone (Wolff).
In a similar manner, Wiley the character becomes a reason behind his own destruction as he believed that everybody will stand up for him if he remains obnoxious. It shall be noted that Wiley also had a disagreement with the truth that being charming is not equals to being obnoxious.
Both the men have a disagreement with their own weaknesses. Wiley and Brian have shown a much disregarded concern towards the women they lived. It is a characteristic of a narcissist that he pressurizes the weaker ones. In the case of Wiley and Brian Gold, it can be said that both of them have been passive regarding relationships with their respective female characters (Wolff).
Wiley and Brian Gold also showed some of the instances in their respective grounds of story depicting that they had no respect to the point of view of people around them. Becoming highly self-centeredness took both of them to their self-destruction. This is clear from the instances of The Chain when Brain Gold shows off that the dog who tried eating his daughter will be killed by him.
However, the reality was different that it was Brian’s own fault that he did not put his daughter to a safety at the very first place. A similar example can be drawn from the story The Life of the Body when Wiley tells lies to the people about himself to show off that he is rational among those who have a very irrational view about Wiley (Wolff).
From the above noted instances and observations about the character projections in stories The Chain and The Life of the Body, it becomes clear that both narcissist individuals will always hide their weaknesses by proving their abilities with lies and made-up stories. By doing so, both the characters Wiley and Brian Gold ended up in emptiness and self-destruction.
Work Cited
Wolff, T. The night in question: stories. New York: Vintage Books, 1997.
Narcissism is a very interesting phenomenon in contemporary society. Present day cynicism and its associated narcissism are observed by analyzing dynamics in the community of interest. In this case, the two phenomena are examined by examining dynamics in the American and European society. Take, for example, the available social and economic data in the society. You can then weigh the discrepancies between the two forms of data (social and economic data).
Consider each of the phenomena’s stands on various issues in the society. The various issues include, among others, capitalism, conditions at work, crime, and the provision of healthcare services. They are some of the factors that inform social interactions in today’s communities. Upon keen scrutiny, one will find that what we thought were two peas in a pod are actually dissimilar entities. According to such scholars as Peter Baldwin, Europe is much more diverse than how it is conceived in popular belief.
It is important to note that the European and American societies are significantly different. The differences between the two societies are evident in spite of the many similarities between them. For example, the European social model significantly differs from the American model, especially on government intervention.
In Europe, government interventions cushion the populace from the harsh effects of unchecked capitalism. It is a fact beyond doubt that capitalism has benefited contemporary economy significantly. However, the same is detrimental to the society if it remains unchecked, hence the need for government intervention. When it comes to such matters as life spending on education or overall enthusiasm for the free market, American and European societies appear to read from the same page.
Americans, as a people, are not as cynical as the Chinese or the Europeans. The differences between the two sets of community are evident in spite of the fact that the citizens on both ends may be facing similar economic and social problems. For example, consider the degree of a somewhat overt religious faith among Americans. It should be appreciated that many Europeans are religious in one way or the other. However, those same Europeans are likely to engage in acts of contempt towards their minister of the gospel.
It appears that the Europeans do not revere their religious leaders like the Americans. The religious difference between the two communities is characterized by a sense of emancipation that exists among the various faiths. For instance, in Middle America, there are towns with churches of different denominations. The availability of different churches provides people with alternatives as far as attending a church service is concerned.
Across the border in Europe, however, the story is very different. In Europe, church membership is established at birth. The individual hardly changes their religion from that within which they were born. In spite of all this, Americans are unlikely to portray nonchalance towards their faith. It is interesting to note that, the faith rigidity notwithstanding, many Europeans tend to be indifference towards religion.
The enfranchisement exhibited by Americans has extended to the secular authorities. According to many Americans, the country’s governance structures assure them of success as long as they work hard in whatever they are doing. It is important to note at this juncture that not many Americans agree with some of the unpopular actions associated with their government. However, the confidence that Americans have in the functionality of their systems sets them apart from cynical and hard- to- please Europeans.
The ‘trust’ or confidence that Americans have in their systems is looked down upon by many Europeans. For example, it is viewed as naiveté by a host of left wing Europeans.
Owing to their dislike for American systems, most Europeans argue that upper class Americans have learned to manipulate ordinary citizens into voting against their own interests. The elite Americans achieve their goal by talking about issues like gun control and gay marriage. Such notions, the left wing Europeans argue, are a ploy meant to ensure that conservative politicians are elected into office.
Peter Baldwin alludes to this reality in his book The Narcissism of Minor Differences: How America and Europe are Alike. The scholar supports the notion of the existence of two ‘Americas’. He argues that the black community still faces human rights injustices despite the official end to slavery decades ago.
According to him, the black community, which is considered under class in terms of earnings, is a classical example of explicit discrepancies between America and Europe. The scholar argues that if the rate of homicide within the black community is reduced, the rate of murder in America will be lower than that of Europe.
Whereas Americans enjoy some sense of enfranchisement, Europeans are largely cynical. Some parts of Europe are characterized by such forms of cynicism as natural suspicion, caution, and desolation among individuals with no actual stake in power. To such cynics, the world is merely a zero sum game. Giuseppe di Lampedusa wrote about peasants during the 19th century Sicilian era. According to him, peasants will deny any knowledge of the existence of their village to a stranger owing to their mistrust.
Presently, Europe is severely affected by the cynicism of tax evaders. Such people work on the assumption that, just like them, government officials steal from the state. Such practices have led to an increase in corruption. In addition, they are an impediment to international trade. For instance, an individual in Italy will find it easy to bribe a government official than follow the required procedure.
For a long time, majority of citizens in China were powerless. As a result, cynicism and the overwhelming fear of ‘being tricked’ play a huge role in this society. It is common to find the ordinary folk arguing in a market out of fear of being double crossed or conned. In Europe, such arguments are also evident, especially at political levels.
In countries with some history of feudalism, angry insinuations that someone will not be taken for granted by their superiors or duped by the government are common. As a result of such persuasions, people regard bending of rules to suit their needs as a normal aspect of the society. However, in America, such narcissistic tendencies are rare owing to the emancipation culture.
Therefore, the various tendencies of narcissism brought about by cynicism can only be resolved by emancipation. Societies with a feudal history or aggression from foreign powers must begin to overcome the various fears and emancipate the people from mental slavery. As a result of emancipation, the negative effects of narcissism will not affect the people’s way of life. In addition, cynicism will begin to appear positive as Plato eventually comes to learn from Diogenes
Narcissism is one of the human characteristics that is often interpreted as negative. In fact, it is important to understand that this character trait has positive consequences as well. To make narcissism useful, it must be used correctly. The problems or advantages of the trait in question come from childhood and from the atmosphere that surrounds the child. The Millennial generation is considered to be a society that has literally been infected with narcissism.
Social media promotes narcissism, spreading ideal images and the desire to be the best among people. Nevertheless, it is impossible to judge this generation unequivocally. This is due to the fact that the greatest age of the millennials is 20-25 years old, so the results of the study cannot be objective to the end. Nevertheless, it is worth to understand this phenomenon, to identify its nature and to explain why the Millennial generation was more affected by it than others.
The Meaning of Narcissism
The problem of narcissism has received an attention in the clinical psychological and psychotherapeutic literature. This interest is related to the contemporary cultural situation and social priorities that encourage individualism, purposefulness, confidence, and independence. Modern people are preoccupied with self-understanding, self-affirmation, and self-reflection. The flip side – the “dark” side – of the focus on individualism and the uniqueness of one’s personality is arrogance, manipulativeness, and disregard for moral norms (Graham-Fuller & Robinson & Khilnani, 2018). Psychological and clinical classifications have identified a continuum of emotional, personality, and behavioral phenomena – from individual traits in the structure of the character to extremely acute, pathological personality traits, defined by the term “narcissism” (Graham-Fuller & Robinson, 2018).
Narcissistic traits can be present in the personality structure and support striving for success, achievement, self-actualization, career, and social recognition. During periods of developmental crises, the expression of narcissistic traits may increase in response to physiological changes in the body and social expectations, which may cause difficulties in social adaptation.
Studies of Narcissism
As noted by researchers, the self-concept of the narcissistic personality is characterized by either sharply negative or sharply positive self-esteem, a sense of their uniqueness, their moral code, and grandiose fantasies with which to relate a positive self-image. Self-consciousness and an exaggerated sense of self-importance lead to a pronounced dominance of the achievement and superiority motive, which affects interpersonal relationships, accompanied by distressing experiences and constant comparison to more successful people (Campbell & Crist, 2020). Grandiosity is often combined with an understanding of psychological fragility accompanied by fear of losing oneself and loss of self-respect.
The diffuse, blurred intrapersonal and interpersonal boundaries are determined by the complex interconnections of the essential characteristics of a narcissistic personality – grandiosity, vulnerability, and privilege.
Depending on the prevailing tendency – grandiosity or vulnerability – there are grandiose and vulnerable types of narcissism. Grandiose narcissists tend to be energetic and optimistic, have high self-esteem, and are more willing to take advantage of others. Vulnerable narcissists are sensitive to threats, prone to anxiety and negative affect (Campbell & Crist, 2020). Their inherent hypersensitivity and frustration caused by unmet expectations lead to social disorganization and avoidance in an unsuccessful attempt to manage self-esteem. This causes shame, depression, anger, hostility and often culminates in outbursts of narcissistic rage.
Empirically, a positive association of grandiose narcissism with subjective well-being and a negative one with psychological distress has been found (Brunell & Hermann & Foster, 2018). Regardless of the predominance of grandiosity or vulnerability in personality structure, high sensitivity to social comparisons and negative interpersonal interaction experiences influence self-esteem stability and mood swings.
Results of the Study
The findings contribute to an understanding of the relationship between narcissistic traits and personality self-concept. Self-perception undergoes a deformation: on the one hand, experienced feelings of grandiosity and uniqueness reinforce self-interest, self-sympathy, and self-respect; expectations of honor and admiration from others seem quite realistic (Hench, 2020). On the other hand, self-perception is attacked by destructive impulses brought on by envy, the desire to control other people, to use them for one’s purposes. And to keep self-esteem at a subjectively good and socially acceptable level, the personality looks for ways to reduce the pressure of these impulses.
Understanding the unacceptability of such strategies leads to shame and an experience of one’s defectiveness-vulnerability. In response, the individual either focuses on the painful side of such incidents, which reinforces envy and leads to narcissistic outbursts of rage and defiant behavior or seeks self-affirmation and social achievement, which helps maintain a sense of grandiosity (Campbell & Crist, 2020). According to the study, lack of empathy and envy of others, according to the study results, is most pronounced in respondents with negative perceptions of their personality.
The selfish individual’s self-concept is unstable. A focus on constant affirmation of one’s uniqueness, combined with negative interpersonal experiences, failures, rejection, and various self-esteem threats, proves to trigger lower self-esteem and mood swings (Campbell & Crist, 2020). The correlations of most scales of the dark triad and narcissistic traits questionnaires with the self-esteem scales are negative (Hench, 2020). Also, confidence in one’s identity is positively related to expected attitudes from others (Campbell & Crist, 2020). This explains well the self-esteem fluctuations of the narcissistic personality: on the one hand, the need to maintain a high level of self-esteem, on the other hand, the low self-esteem associated with ego-threats, the central leitmotif of which is “there is always someone better than you” (Gabbard & Crisp, 2018).
This study was conducted in a population of young people without psychiatric diagnoses. The system of representations of oneself acts as holistic, emotionally, morally, and socially balanced (Gabbard & Crisp, 2018). Self-respect, self-acceptance, and self-interest are accompanied by a readiness to follow social and moral norms, willingness to take responsibility, regulate one’s emotions, and reckon with the values of others.
Causes of Narcissism
The formation of a person’s personality begins in childhood. The first three years of life are crucial in developing an individual’s personality traits (Gabbard & Crisp, 2018). During these years, the primary personality models are formed; during this period, a sense of his own body is acquired, awareness of his gender, name, mind, and history. In these years, the foundations of the future personality are laid (and they last throughout life) (Brunell & Hermann & Foster, 2018). Of course, this does not mean that later life experiences are irrelevant; however, they do not have the same impact as earlier experiences.
Individuals are very plastic in the early years of life, which allows them to be shaped by the visual and sensory experiences they receive. The clinical term for the changes that occur during this period is “narcissistic development” (Campbell & Crist, 2020). Although this term is often ascribed a negative meaning, leadership and narcissism are closely related. To understand the essence of narcissism, it is necessary to go deeper than the commonplace understanding of the word “narcissism” (Gabbard & Crisp, 2018). Psychologists refer to this term as a stage of childhood development, through which each child goes, a scene in which the growing child takes pleasure in their own body and its activities (Gabbard & Crisp, 2018). The way children are treated during this critical development period will color their view of the world until maturity.
Children create a majestic image of themselves and idealize the image of their parents, attributing to them the role of saviors and protectors. The first version is called the “majestic self,” and the second is called the “idealized image of the parent (Gabbard & Crisp, 2018). With time, if the child receives proper care, these two models creating a “bipolar self” are softened by reality. However, as has been shown, traces of these models remain with the person throughout their life and manifest themselves in interpersonal relationships.
The role of parents and caregivers in the development of narcissism is crucial. Parents, siblings, and other important people in the life of the child change the external manifestations of the child, channeling grandiose dreams of power and glory, thus creating the foundation for realistic ambitions, stable values, well-defined business interests, and a confident sense of self-esteem and individuality (Gabbard & Crisp, 2018).
But this critical process can go wrong if a child’s narcissism is inadequately underwritten by an inconsistent or harsh upbringing or a series of significant hardships. But even with the best parents, the process of growing up is full of challenges; it is nothing like the time in the womb before birth when everything was taken care of automatically (Brunell & Hermann & Foster, 2018). So, growing up inevitably involves disappointment. However, if development is going well, disappointment will come in moderate doses. If parents take good care of their children, they will overcome disappointment and approach adulthood as well-balanced people.
Children raised without good care may begin to think that they cannot rely on anyone’s love or loyalty. Although such people seem entirely self-sufficient, they are plagued by feelings of loss, anger, and emptiness (Brunell & Hermann & Foster, 2018). To cope with those feelings, or perhaps hide their insecurities, they turn their narcissistic desires into an obsession. This type of person may become fixated on power, beauty, status, prestige, and superiority issues. They manipulate others to bolster their shaky self-esteem and constantly think about how to make up for the pain (real or imagined) they suffered as children (Gabbard & Crisp, 2018). They usually exaggerate their sense of superiority, uniqueness, and talent and often have grandiose visions.
The Narcissism of the Millennial Generation
There is an epidemic of narcissism going around that began during the heyday of Generation Y, or Millennials, as they are called. Born between 1985 and 2000, this generation embraced new values and laying the foundation for freedom, individuality, and tolerance (Peluchette & Gerhardt, 2018). Along with them came digital screens, advanced technology, and the social media “boom” that today is so full of narcissism, arrogance, and self-confidence.
The Cause of the Epidemic of Narcissism Among Millennials
How Social Media Has Affected Narcissism
People use Facebook and Twitter pages to draw attention, and social media supports this format. Their users are launching startups, turning their names into brands, launching global trends, and making money from their social media accounts by selling their skills, knowledge, and creativity to hundreds of thousands of people (Robinson & Khilnani, et al., 2019). If earlier people could demonstrate their narcissism only in a narrow circle of family and friends, now they have an opportunity to become known to a much wider audience.
Social media users are attracted by the opportunity to observe other people’s lives and talk about their own. It is not necessary to be one hundred percent truthful, and it is enough to wrap content in an exciting cover (Robinson & Khilnani, et al., 2019). However, now there is a tendency in the Web for sincerity. That is, the more natural and genuine an individual shows himself, the more people are attracted. Before, society wanted to look at a perfect picture to escape from reality. Still, there is a fashion for sincerity, and people have become more interested in following live accounts (Peluchette & Gerhardt, 2018).
Despite this, society still encourages performance, egoism, and financial solvency, factors by which others judge people, and, consequently, the number of unscrupulous and hardcore careerists is growing. The highly competitive technological world forces people to develop such qualities if they do not want to lose themselves in the gray masses and be stifled (Sollohub, 2019). Some experts even argue that this is the next step in human evolution.
Encouraging Narcissism on Social Media
The most crucial function of social networks has become the ability to showcase their own lives to users of existing platforms. Since the publication of personal information always attracts attention, an excellent opportunity for egocentrists to focus society on their persona has opened. There are several types of behavior of social network users:
Active use, when a person posts their content and focuses on their persona;
Passive use, when a person views other people’s content but does not post their own;
Upward comparison, when a person thinks that those whose “perfect” lives they see on the Web have a much better fate;
Downward comparison, when a person feels better about themselves when they come across someone else’s post about their troubles or failures, i.e., the person is internally self-affirming when others feel bad;
Social exclusion, when a person, for example, looks at photos of acquaintances from an event and regrets not being invited there (Sollohub, 2019).
People are used to believing that everyone around them is worse off than they are, and realizing this makes them feel good. But one should not look at the results categorically because there are exceptions and many other behaviors. For example, a person suffering from a severe form of narcissistic personality disorder feels uncomfortable on social networks. There is also the other side of the coin. Self-acceptance and loving, healthy self-esteem and inner harmony, and the need for self-expression can push one to post personal content (Sollohub, 2019). Social media is also great for introverts and withdrawn people, for whom exposing themselves. Their opinions to the public become less scary when it is anonymous or in the comfort zone in front of a phone screen.
Compared to Generation X, Generation Z is more cosmopolitan, free of frames and stereotypes. From birth, they want to be leaders and rotate in the center of everyone’s attention. The main distinguishing features of digital “natives” are multitasking, the vastness of thinking, and the influence of the Internet (Renning & Scholz, 2019). Such people can do several things simultaneously, combine several completely different spheres of activity and show promising results for work in the field of IT technology and programming (Renning & Scholz, 2019).
The desire for instant profit characterizes generations Z. That is why generations Y and Z are so marked by ambition, determination, and internal non-recognition of any obligations (Renning & Scholz, 2019). Recently, the generational boundaries have narrowed considerably. Previously, one generation replaced the other on average every 25 years, but now the difference between the generations is up to ten years (Renning & Scholz, 2019). This is the case because the unconditional increase in the speed of change occurring in the world is an inherent part of life.
Conclusion
Although principles and attitudes vary markedly from generation to generation, some aspects remain stable at all times. For example, the humanistic values established at an early age, instincts, the regular age stages of personal maturation, and the crises each person goes through. Although today’s children mature and go through the steps of personality formation earlier, it still happens and must happen in the future.
At present, it is impossible to judge generation Z objectively, as its oldest representatives are no more than twenty years old. Traits attributed to them like impatience, thirst for power, career growth, material well-being, freedom, and independence can be related not so much to specific character traits as ambitiousness and hyperactivity. These factors are characteristic of young people of any generation, so they cannot be called unique.
References
Brunell, A. B., Hermann, A. D., Foster, J. D. (2018). Handbook of trait narcissism. Key advances, research methods, and controversies. Springer International Publishing.
Campbell, W. K., Crist, C. (2020). The new science of narcissism. Understanding one of the greatest psychological challenges of our time – and what you can do about it. Sounds True.
Gabbard, G. O., Crisp, H. (2018). Narcissism and its disconnects. Diagnostic dilemmas and treatment strategies with narcissistic parents. American Psychiatric Association Publishing.
Graham-Fuller, V., Robinson, H. (2018). Understanding narcissism in clinical practice. Taylor & Francis.
Hench, T. (2020). Narcissist. The ultimate guide to understanding manipulation and narcissism. Efalon Acies.
Kozlowski, L. (2019). Malignant narcissism. Understanding and overcoming malignant narcissistic abuse. Independently Published.
Peluchette, J. V. E., Gerhardt, M. W. (2018). Millennials. Trends, characteristics and perspectives. Nova Science Publishers, Incorporated.
Renning, A., Scholz, C. (2019). Generations Z in Europe. Inputs, insights and implications. Emerald Publishing Limited.
Robinson, L, Khilnani, A., et al. (2019). Mediated Millennials. Emerald Publishing Limited.
Sollohub, D. (2019). Millennials in architecture. Generations, disruption, and the legacy of a profession. University of Texas Press.
The idea of narcissism is widely spread nowadays: people are eager to survive under the conditions they create, and even the most powerful people are under a threat of being influenced by a number of narcissistic tendencies. There are many examples narcissism in media, and it is hard to define what case is more interesting and more educative. Still, if the necessity to define and to understand narcissism is urgent, it is more captivating to pay more attention to the case inherent to the political sphere of life.
In New York Times, there is a section where Ross Douthat finds it rather interesting and even provocative to comment the situations which take place in the White House and challenge various politics. In one of his comments, he focuses on self-pity that is now widely spread in the White House and may be regarded as a powerful example of narcissism inherent to politicians.
What do people call narcissism? It is a kind of trait that is intrinsic to many people. It is selfishness that may help to achieve the cherished purpose or, vice versa, to destroy a person from the inside. It is hard to define the main characteristics of narcissism, specially for those people, who suffer from it. In the article under consideration, there is no certain attention to the idea of narcissism, still, there are so many hints so that the reader is able to make conclusions independently.
The representatives of the White House demonstrate how they can regret about something or even how they are unsure of personal decisions and forecasted outcomes. This story identifies several politicians, still, it is not obligatory to focus on the names. Politicians are great in numbers, and the feeling of narcissism that is inherent to the vast majority of them is great and influential indeed.
Several narcissistic tendencies defined prove that the political sphere is not perfect, and, as it is inherent to narcissism, these tendencies are hard to define, still, they exist and influence human lives. Such feelings like pity should not be connected with the politicians because they have a number of purposes to be achieved so that the living conditions, relations between people, and future may be improved.
As Narcissus, the character from the picture, is so deeply involved into looking at himself, as well as the activities of the politicians are of wrong direction. They find it more captivating and urgent to evaluate personal traits and discontents instead of taking care of the country.
A narcissistic person also has a tendency to think only of him or herself in any given situation. This makes it very difficult to form and maintain healthy relationships. And this is the main message of the article as well as the theme of narcissism – there are many elements of narcissisms in the world, and the vast majority of people are too weak to identify each element properly and get a chance to improve the conditions they have to live and work under.
Most of the recent research studies that have been conducted demonstrate that narcissism tendencies are indeed in the increase. Although about 62% of the world population is believed to have been affected by this disorder, researchers are still unanimous that those born roughly between early 1980s and late 1990s, also referred to as Generation Y are most affected (Daig, Klapp & Fliege 2009, p.371).
In other words, the narcissistic tendencies are more prevalent among this generation compared to the others. However, it would be imperative to investigate the underlying meaning behind narcissism. This term has been used to refer to some kind of selfish attitude that overrides an individual. In other words, narcissistic individuals have an overrated opinion and value among themselves. In some cases, they have also been described to possess ego-centric personalities and also tend to be dominated by superiority complex.
The fact that narcissists tend to be self entitled has made it risky to employ such characters at various places of work. Researchers seem to be unanimous that such personalities are often hard to control. Worse still, they do not accommodate diverse opinions from others (Menon & Sharland 2011, p.53).
Latest studies have revealed that narcissistic tendencies are more prevalent among students enrolled in business schools compared to other disciplines such as history, religion or sciences. While the latter statement may still be treated as a hypothetical approach, some solid research with concrete evidences need to be carried out in order to come out with conclusive facts on narcissism.
Nonetheless, similar researches carried out have also revealed the positive attributes of narcissism. For instances, narcissists are quite aggressive as well as competitive when pursuing specific endeavors in spite of the fact that they have limited ability to correct past errors based on feedback (Macky, Gardner & Forsyth 2008, p.860).
Nonetheless, most of these research studies have utilized global measurements instead of making use of various facets of narcissism (Westerman et al. 2012, p.11). It is against this backdrop that this research paper attempts to examine the relationship between the different components of narcissism with that of academic exploitation with key reference to quantitative data that was gathered from students in business school undertaking organizational behavior course unit
Methods
Sample and Procedure
The participants for this survey comprised of 30 respondents drawn from the schools of psychology and business. The two schools were chosen for the sake of comparing the tendencies of narcissism. The sample did not include those respondents who were not within the Y generation. In addition, respondents who had incomplete data were not included in the sample.
In terms of the average age, our sample had a mean of 22 years although the participants had an age range from between 16 to 31 years. Out of the total sample size, there were 17 males, 8 females and some 5 respondents who failed to specify their gender.
It is worth noting that the given sample size was indeed instrumental towards the research study because it was convenient enough to handle and analyze. In addition, there was no extra credit given during the survey in addition to the fact that all the participants took part in the survey voluntarily.
Some of the additional elements included in the survey comprised their individual cumulative grade point average (GPA), gender, age as well as both dependent and independent variables that were considered to be vital. The survey was conducted by a third party during the normal class hours.
Measures
In order to examine the extent of narcissism; there was need for the respondents to complete the NPI form. It had a total of forty pair of statements which would offer responses for both narcissistic and non-narcissistic feedbacks. Since the sample size comprised of either narcissistic or non-narcissistic personalities, the participants were requested to choose specific statements that were compatible with their individual belief systems and intrinsic thoughts and feelings.
In order to obtain the final feedback, the total responses from narcissistic statements were put together. If the scores were found to be higher on the NPI form, then it would be an indication that the particular individual was more narcissistic in terms of character. On the other hand, lower scores on the NPI statements was a vivid indication that the respondent had minimal tendencies towards narcissism attitude.
The past research records have shown that there is usually sufficient validity and reliability when NPI is used to investigate narcissism tendencies in a given sample size.
The respondents offered their feedback on eight different aspects. These items attempted to inquire more on the career expectations of the participants. For instance, in terms of how easy it would be to secure employment after graduating, the participants were required to respond to the statement “it will be easy for me to get a job” on a 5-point scale (strongly agree for 5 and strongly do not agree for 1).
Another item that the participants were required to respond to was their individual salary expectation after being employed. There were a total of four different items which they were supposed to respond to. Two of the items were assessing their salary expectations immediately after being employed while the remaining two elements targeted their salary expectations after a period of 4 years or so into the working environment.
The participants were also requested to estimate how much they were expecting to earn in addition to the amount of salary compared to those of their colleagues in class. For example, the respondents gave a feedback on the statement “I expect my starting salary to be within $–per annum”. In this statement, there were a total of 7 options that were within the range $9,999 and $19,999. The topmost salary expectation was stipulated at $70,000 and above.
Another aspect in the survey form was on their individual expectations on promotions after securing a stable job. There were a total of 2 different aspects that the respondents were supposed to offer their feedback on. Some of the items they were supposed to respond to was “how many times do you anticipate promotion within the first five years after employment”? “How soon do you anticipate promotion after being employed”?
Results
In order to analyze the results, inter-correlations as well as descriptive statistics were used as shown in the appendix below.
The average level of narcissism
The earlier hypothesis was that the business students are expected to have a higher level of narcissism compared to those from history or psychology disciplines. From the above results, it is evident that narcissism plays an integral role in shaping the personality of generation Y both in terms of personal life and career wise.
In one of the hypothesis, it was stated that there is indeed an extreme level of narcissism prevalent between the psychology students and their counterparts in the business school. This level of narcissism was equally found to be higher especially when gender had been controlled as a fixed variable.
After conducting an independent sample of t-test in order to evaluate the level of narcissism among male students, the results were even more elaborate. With a standard deviation of approximately 6.6 and a mean of about 17.8, it was definite that the latter figures were on a higher scale in comparison to that of the female respondents.
According to the results tabled in the appendix, it is evident that although students in the business school were generally overrated as narcissists, the female participants from the same school had higher narcissism levels than the male respondents who took part in the research study.
Discussion
The growing tendency towards narcissism especially among the Millennial Generation has been an issue of concern for some considerable length of time now (Campbell et al. 2005, p.1360). Of particular importance is the comparison between students in the business school and those undertaking history or psychology. The former has been found out to be obsessed with entitlement, overconfidence as well as higher levels of narcissistic attitude (Campbell et al. 2007, p.228).
From the above survey which made use of the NPN statement form, it is evident that narcissism is more prevalent among business students since they had a higher score compared to most of their classmates in other disciplines. As a matter of fact, their career expectations were found to be overrated.
Nonetheless, it is worth noting that narcissism did not portray any outstanding relationship with the results obtained from the business school classrooms. Needless to say, the results obtained above are demonstrative of the fact that narcissists have a higher or enhanced career expectation in terms of promotions, salary levels as well as ease of securing employment (Hill & Roberts 2011, p.7).
Although the aforementioned features of narcissists may be considered as the much needed self-drive towards career success in an individual’s life, narcissists have been labeled to be difficult to handle especially at workplace where corrective feedbacks need to be implemented as part and parcel of improving organizational performance.
At this point, it is also worth to mention that the results show that female students in the business school demonstrated higher tendencies towards narcissism than their male counterparts.
Conclusion
In recap, it is worth to mention that most of the past studies on narcissism have utilized globalised samples that may not precisely depict that actual measure of narcissism especially in localized quotas as it has been represented in this research findings. While a global analysis of narcissism has been lauded as a success, it is imperative to bring out some of the outstanding and unique distinctions in the various facets of narcissism. In addition, the study on narcissism should also be linked to leadership in variety of ways.
For instance, grandiose exhibitionism is a leadership quality that may not be readily evident among most narcissists and that is why some employers may not desire to hire individuals with narcissist personality. On the other hand, leadership attributes which is closely linked with entitlement/exploitiveness has myriads of negative outcomes that can equally jeopardize organizational performance. Unfortunately, theoretical research findings are quite unanimous that narcissists are well endowed with the latter personality features.
References
Campbell, W. K. et al. 2005, “Understanding the social costs of narcissism: The case of the tragedy of the commons”. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, vol. 31 no.10, pp. 1358–1364.
Campbell, W. K. et al. 2007, “Do narcissists dislike themselves ‘deep down inside?” Psychological Science, vol. 18 no.3, pp. 227–229.
Daig, I., Klapp, B., & Fliege, H 2009, “Narcissism predicts therapy outcome in psychosomatic patients”. Journal of Psychopathy and Behavioral Assessment, vol. 31 no. 4 pp. 368–377.
Hill, L.P. & Roberts, WB 2011, “Narcissism, Well-Being, and Observer-Rated Personality Across the Lifespan”. Social Psychological and Personality Science. Vol. 000 no.00, pp. 1-8.
Macky, K, Gardner, D. & Forsyth. S 2008, “Generational differences at work: Introduction and overview”. Journal of Managerial Psychology. Vol. 23 no.8, pp. pp. 857-861.
Menon, K.M & Sharland, A 2011, “Narcissism, Exploitative Attitudes, and Academic Dishonesty: An Exploratory Investigation of Reality Versus Myth”. Journal of education for business. Vol. 86, pp.50-55.
Westerman, J.W et al. 2012, “Are Universities Creating Millennial Narcissistic Employees? An Empirical Examination of Narcissism in Business Students and Its implications”. Journal of Management education. Vol.36 no.1, pp. 5-32.
An intersubjective view is a perspective in which different parties agree about a certain issue. Narcissism has elicited a lot of interest and research from the psychodynamic school of thought. However, there is surprising agreement about the manifestations, origins, development and treatment of narcissism.
One demonstrates intersubjective views on a subject by showing how multiple scholars from different schools of thought agree on various aspects of the subject. This report will highlight the intersubjective view of narcissism by comparing object relations theorists to Freudian or ego theorists, self psychology theorists Jungian theorists as well as personality psychologists.
Intersubjective view on the definition and manifestation of narcissism
Psychologists have a general agreement that a person with narcissistic personality disorder is one who exhibits narcissistic behaviour owing to deep-seated feelings of low self esteem (Millon & Davis, 1996). They often use arrogance as a cover for their shortfalls. The DSM IV criteria of the condition are indicative of intersubjective agreement.
While Millon, a personality theorist, recognised that these behaviours do not come from a place of real confidence and self belief, Forman, a psychodynamic theorist, acknowledges that these individuals often feel empty and unfulfilled (Forman, 1976).
Reich, an ego psychology adherent, also concurs with the above, by stating that narcissistic people have an unrealistic view of themselves, yet they cannot measure up to that view (Reich, 1986). This causes them to persistently aspire for high status.
Masterson, an objects relations theorist, explains that narcissists are self involved and characterised by depictions of grandiosity (Masterson, 1981). Forman (1976) states that most of these patients strive for perfection, even though they have minimal chances of achieving it.
Most scholars also have an intersubjective view of the narcissist’s relationship with others. Reich (1986) explains that these individuals do not have a healthy association with others. They instead depend on them to get approval. Forman (1976) adds that they often look to others to gain esteem and respect. Millon & Davis (1996) affirm that narcissists often degrade the achievement of others in order to make themselves feel better.
Masterson (1981) claims that it is not unusual to witness feelings of intense envy among them because of the emptiness they feel. Reich (1986) adds that their inadequacies cause them to seek attention from others. When in the presence of others, they will boast and exaggerate their achievements. They often look out for other people’s reactions to them, and are too sensitive to disapproval.
In fact, other people’s judgement about them often causes these individuals to experience intense humiliation and sensitivity. Forman (1976) reiterates that a person with the disorder may seek an idealised partner in order to gain affirmation. Masterson (1981) adds that such people will look for perfect partners in order to mirror those idealised qualities for the narcissist.
Scholars also agree on some of the manifestations of this condition. The narcissistic person will demonstrate rage even during minor interactions. Such an individual will be offended when his need for approval is frustrated (Reich, 1986).
Furthermore, the person is immensely self conscious as his esteem comes from other people’s endorsement. In fact, such a person will undergo sporadic periods of high self esteem and excitement, then go through low moments (Forman, 1976) & (Reich, 1986).
Masterson (n.d., para. 50) has good explanations concerning why patients exhibit this kind of behaviour. He states that most patients have intimacy and relationship issues because closeness would penetrate their grandiose facade and get to the flawed self. This would trigger feelings of abandonment and devastate the patient. Therefore, the series of narcissistic relationships are enormous.
Sometimes, the patient may claim that he lacks friends or may look for unavailable partners. In other scenarios, the narcissistic subject may assert that he feels detached in relationships. All these manifestations depict the need to protect the fragile self from exposure.
Additionally, Masterson (n.d., para. 81) explains that persons with this disorder may experience bouts of rage because they have a sense of entitlement, which rarely gets acknowledged.
However, other people may not know about that entitlement, hence explaining why they cannot acknowledge it. Reich (1986) explains that approval-seeking stems from one’s lack of understanding of their true self. It is a futile attempt at developing a high esteem since one cannot look inward to find this confidence.
Wurmser (1981), a Freudian psychologist, explains that subjects will have exhibitionist tendencies because they want to overpower their object. They believe that their words or actions will charm, magnetise and eventually subjugate the other.
Origins of narcissism in infancy
Most psychodynamic literature traces narcissism to one’s infancy. The pioneer of psychodynamic theory, Sigmund Freud, used his ego theory to explain how narcissism comes about. He starts with the term libido, which refers to the energy that exists in humans owing to sexual and survival impulses. The libido is a prime part of the id, which drives human behaviour.
At the infant stage, all humans are born with an innate love for themselves; Freud called this tendency primary narcissism. Usually, the infant’s libido is directed at the self. However, as one grows, then one must learn to redirect this flow of libido to an object. In fact, Freud argued that the goal of therapy should be to replace narcissism with object love (Lee and Martin, 1991).
Intersubjective views of infancy exist among a number of scholars. Heinz Kohut, who is the proponent of self psychology, also agreed with Freud on this matter. He believed that human beings had an innate love for the self, and if left unchecked, then it could develop into a narcissistic personality in adulthood (Kohut, 1966). Therefore, the infant treats the world as revolving around himself.
Nonetheless, Kohut disagreed with Freud concerning the role of therapy in dealing with narcissism. He claimed that therapists cannot and should not attempt to replace all narcissism with object love as the two can work together (Lee and Martin, 1991).
The two scholars differed in terms of therapeutic approaches, but they still had a general consensus about the innate existence of self love in the infant and its modification in adulthood through the introduction of object love.
Childhood experiences and their role in narcissism
Kohut (1966) believed that a person’s childhood has an adverse effect on their understanding of the self. As children grow, they exhibit behaviour that is imperative to proper functioning during adulthood. For instance, some of them may have competitive tendencies. However, since their perceptions of the self have not yet developed, then their ability to cultivate this natural behaviour will depend on other people’s reaction.
If a child’s family members respond negatively to constructive competitive behaviour, then the child’s perception of the self will be damaged. Some families may reject or humiliate the young person because of exhibiting that conduct. Eventually, the child will suppress that behaviour but it will resurface during their adulthood in a distorted from. One such manifestation is narcissistic behaviour.
Almaas (1996) reiterates these sentiments by stating that children are never seen as they are. They depend upon external mirrors in order to solidify their senses. The narcissistic need is a primary need for all children as it confirms what they perceive and even allows them to comprehend it.
Johnson (1987) also demonstrates intersubjectivity with Kohut (1966) by stating that a child’s weak side ought to be reconciled with their magnificent nature. The familial environment has a large role to play in supporting these two polarities (Johnson, 1987). It can then allow the self to manifest freely.
Nonetheless, if the family requires the child to become something that he is not, then chances are that narcissistic injury will occur. Therefore, a general psychoanalyst like Johnson (1987) demonstrates intersubjectivity with Kohut, a self psychologist, concerning the root cause of narcissism in childhood.
A child’s experiences can lead to narcissism owing to the helplessness of their situation. Most of the humiliation, unfair treatment, or rejection that takes place in childhood cannot be controlled (Kohut, 1966). A child almost feels powerless over the situation that causes him distress.
Therefore, such a person may develop a defence mechanism in adulthood where he or she tries to deal with the feeling of helplessness (Wolf, 1988). This narcissist will have a fragile perception of the self in the helpless state, so they may feel compelled to do something to preserve the integrity of the self.
Alternatively, situations in which power or specialness is over rewarded may create a sense of vulnerability in the child (Johnson, 1987). Parents may also cause narcissistic injury when they transfer caretaking roles to their children. A child who takes care of their parents will have authority and trust issues.
Besides, a child whose achievements elicit envious reactions from parents will experience this condition, as well. The reverse may also be true when a parent lives through their child’s accomplishments, this may also wound the child’s self (Johnson, 1987).
Childhood memories of incidences that spark narcissistic rage never disappear. In fact, whenever a person destroys the object that caused him temporary helplessness or shame, another substitute will spark off those feelings again. These experiences in childhood will thus predispose an adult into a pathological state of paranoia (Wolf, 1988).
Therefore, Kohut (1966) suggests that therapists must attempt to find the source of that narcissistic discontentment. The importance of tracing one’s childhood experiences is vital to treatment of narcissistic behaviour disorders, according to the self psychology theorist. Intersubjective agreement on the latter fact exists among object relations theorists, as well.
Masterson (1981) explains that the degree to which a child’s real self is supported and acknowledged by parents makes a lot of difference. The real self, according to this author is a combination of both good and bad things; it is also spontaneous and autonomous. Almaas (1996), an integral theorist, reiterates that the wrong interpretation of what a child is can cause a sense of betrayal and hurt.
Consequently, this leads to confusion about the self. Essentially, the person will grow to become narcissistic. Blanck and Blanck (1974), who are ego theorists, also demonstrate intersubjective agreement by arguing that children loose their self esteem because they get fixated on valuation of the self object.
Masterson (n.d., para. 15) also echoes the above sentiments concerning parenting. He claims that persons with narcissistic disorders tend to come from unsupportive homes. Many of their parents try to mould them into perfect beings without thinking about their emotional needs.
Therefore, a child will try to be perfect in order to meet a parent’s ideal projections. In adulthood the person will develop a grandiose sense of self in order to protect himself from feelings of abandonment or failure by the parent. Additionally, if one or all the parents have narcissistic disorders, then chances are the child’s real self will not be supported, and this will lead to narcissism in the child, as well (Masterson, n.d., para. 38).
Freud and Kohut also concur on the relevance of idealisation. When children idealise their parents, they learn about the importance of empathising and caring for others through mirroring (Blanck and Blanck, 1974). This allows them to sooth themselves in situations that demand it.
Therefore, if ideal role models lack in a child’s life, then they will not have someone to mirror the importance of self worth or the usefulness of empathising with others. Consequently, these subjects’ lack of human identification is reflected in the narcissistic condition, where they do not empathise, identify or care for others.
Ambitions and ideals in the narcissistic individual
Agreement amongst various scholars also exists on the relevance of ideals and ambitions in development of narcissism. Kohut (1966) explains that hurt pride and inferiority feeling can be manifested very differently in the narcissist. Failure to reconcile an individual’s ideal with the self can cause immense shame. Usually, a person’s conception of the ideal emanates from their parents or mother (Lee and Martin, 1991).
If their perception of the ideal differs tremendously from the self, then narcissistic tension will arise. Masterson (1981) also demonstrates intersubjective agreement on the same.
He uses the example of authority; a person’s concept of ideal authority emanates from their parent’s manifestation of the same. If a parent was too authoritative or too weak, then chronic problems on ideal authority will arise. The individual may not even trust their own authority.
Freud acknowledged that all human beings have inherent drive. He further asserted that drive could either be directed towards death or life. While a number of future psychologists rejected the aspect of death drive, they still concurred with Freud on the relevance of ambition in life (Wolf, 1988). If applied to narcissism, individuals who fail to use the life drive effectively often experience a sense of inadequacy.
Likewise, Kohut (1966) also explains the relevance of drive and ambition in the disorder. He clearly differentiates between useful ambition and dangerous drive. To Kohut, a person can possess either competitive aggressiveness or narcissistic rage. If objects come in the way of one’s goals, then competitive aggressiveness can arise.
The psychological consequences of this type of anger is almost insignificant because once the goal has been attained, no psychological residues will exist (Wolf, 1988). A healthy person can easily go through one competitive situation to another without bringing up issues of the past. Conversely if self objects threaten the image of self, then narcissistic rage can arise.
The narcissistic individual thinks of others as a means of sustaining the self; if they cease performing this function, and instead do the reverse, then they must be eradicated. Narcissistic rage arises when the person feels helpless about his situation after others have damaged it (Kohut, 1966).
The goal of therapy
Several scholars also agree on reactions of narcissists during therapy. Many adherents to the self psychology theory agree that constraints of time and resources may interfere with the effectiveness of therapy. This is especially because it may lead to irritation in the analysand. Additionally, because the narcissistic individual always focuses on indulging the self, then certain behaviour may be perceived as a threat to the client.
For instance, the person may interpret prolonged silence as an attack against him. Additionally, if a therapist appears to be too rigid and neutral, then this may spark off narcissistic rage (Wolf, 1988). Usually, the severity of the situation is determined by its resemblance to past causes of narcissism. It is at such moments that the concerned therapist can intervene by explaining and interpreting the situation to the client.
Healing may take place through restoration of the self. On the flipside, these irritations in therapy may be so disturbing that they may destroy the therapist’s credibility to the patient. In such circumstances, the patient may terminate his sessions as he cannot reconcile damage to the self and the therapeutic intervention.
Usually, failure will occur if the therapeutic situation is too severe or too much of a trigger for narcissistic rage (Kohut, 1966). In other scenarios, treatment of narcissistic rage may not just occur in persons with narcissistic personality disorders. On occasion, people with borderline personality may also have the condition. In such scenarios, interpretations can be more detrimental than helpful to treatment.
The client may respond to intervention as a threat to the self. In such situations, the counsellor must demonstrate empathy and exercise a lot of patience before tangible results can be seen (Wolf, 1988).
Masterson also represents the object relations view of this perspective by adding that most narcissists find it hard to accept therapeutic help because it involves surrender. In their childhood, most of them had to become helpless and powerless in order to get their family’s attention; consequently, it is understandable when they do not want to put themselves in that vulnerable situation again (Masterson, 1981).
Narcissism marginalises the act of surrender and causes many individuals to respond negatively to psychological intervention. Therefore, one of the goals of therapy should be to explain the usefulness of surrender. Counsellors ought to identify instances of love, generosity and care, which depend on surrender as a core principle.
Masterson (1981) concurs with Kohut (1966) in terms of identifying and explaining instances of misunderstood emotions. Aside from surrender, Masterson (1981) also reiterates that making a therapeutic alliance with narcissistic patients is fragile. He explains that it stems from the developmental fixation that occurred in the patient’s life. As a result, such a person may respond negatively to certain qualities of therapy.
The narcissist has challenges with maintenance of boundaries and difficulties in handling frustration. Therefore, therapists must be wary of these challenges and expect periodic breakdowns. It is the effective management of these breakdowns that lead to success in management f the condition (Masterson, n.d.).
Freud also demonstrated intersubjective agreement regarding the goal of treatment. He believed that one must trace the source of the patient’s triggers. Oedipal dynamics come into play here (Blanck & Blanck, 1974).
A therapist ought to identify the stage in the patient’s development where the libido (or the psychic energy) got fixed. Sometimes these memories may be repressed and the client may not know that the source of his narcissistic behaviour stems from a certain stage. The therapist must work with the patient in order to identify those aspects. To do this, one must determine the issues that cause the patient to become highly sensitive.
For instance, the person may complain about a business partner who let him down or a spouse who did the same. A theme of betrayal may emerge from these interventions. Consequently, one should trace the instances of betrayal in the patient’s childhood that may have led to this hypersensitivity or betrayal.
To Freud, and other ego psychologists, therapists must reconstruct measures conducted by the ego (the safeguard of a person’s innate desires and passions) calculatingly. Since the ego represses things or carries out its actions invisibly, then one must identify the missing elements in one’s psychology and work around it thoroughly.
Freud and other scholars like Kohut also agreed on the reparenting roles in therapy. Both psychologists argue that transference can take place between the patient and the therapist. In essence, the patient starts thinking of the counsellor as an idealised parent. The professional can then give them some of the things that they think they missed. Masterson (1981) also talks about the relevance of transference in treatment.
The psychologist explains that transference ought not to be perceived as an object relationship; instead, the therapy should be merely regarded as a temporary board in which the patient can direct his conflicts. However, he adds that effective transference only takes place when the patient views the therapist in a realistic light; that is, as an imperfect person.
In Jungian theory, scholars also echo the above sentiments about the goal of therapy. These adherents claim that psychologists should strive to get to the self, where the self is one of a number of Jungian archetypes. Jung believed that the self is at the core of the personality. If a person can unite all the aspects of the self, then he can become whole again. Therapists handling narcissistic patients should strive for integration.
Conclusion
Intersubjective agreement exists on the definition and manifestation of narcissism. Object relations, Freudian, and self psychologist theorists all agree that narcissistic subjects have an illusionary self confidence and feeling of superiority. However, these depictions disguise feelings of inadequacy.
Additionally, intersubjective agreements also exist in regard to the origin of narcissism in infancy. Scholars in the self psychology school as well as the Freudian school agree that narcissistic disorders start from infancy, where a child’s love for himself is narcissistic.
Intersubjective views on the development of narcissism in childhood revolve around the supportive role of the family and finding the real self. Psychologists representing divergent psychodynamic theories believe that parental projections in children can hamper the development of the true self and thus cause narcissist injury.
Objects relations theorists emphasise fixation on the self object while Freudians dwell on oedipal fixation; self psychologists talk about the inferior sense of self. All these scholars agree on psychological injury in one’s childhood.
Lastly, agreement also exists on the goal of therapy among various psychodynamic theorists. At the heart of their arguments is the need to identify the source of incompleteness in one’s self.
Self psychologists suggest the use of empathy and transference; Freudians also talks about transference while object relations theorists emphasise reconciliation of the self with the self object. Additionally, all scholars also agree on the fragility of therapeutic setting with these kinds of subjects.
References
Almaas, A. (1996). The point of existence. Boston: Shambhala Press.
Blanck, Gertrude, & Blanck, Rubin. (1974). Ego psychology: Theory and practice. New York: Columbia University Press.
Forman, M. (1976). Narcissistic disorders and the oedipal fixations. In J. Feldstein (Ed.), The Annual of Psychoanalysis (pp. 65-92). New York: International Universities.
Johnson, S. (1987). Humanizing the narcissistic style. New York: Norton
Kohut, H. (1966). Forms and Transformations of Narcissism. In C. Strozier (Ed.), self psychology and the humanities (pp. 97-123). New York: Norton.
Lee, R. and Martin, C. (1991). Psychotherapy After Kohut: A Textbook of Self Psychology. Hillsdale, NJ: The Analytic Press.
Masterson, J. (n.d.). Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy of the Narcissistic Personality Disorder (Closet): A Developmental Self and Object Relations Approach. Web.
Masterson, J. (1981). The narcissistic and borderline disorders. New York: Brunner/Mazel.
Millon, T. and Davis, R. (1996). Disorders of Personality: DSM-IV and Beyond. New York: Wiley.
Reich, A. (1986). Pathological forms of self-esteem regulation. In A. P. Morrison (Ed.), Essential papers on narcissism (pp. 44-60). NY: McMillan.
Wolf, E. (1988). Treating the Self: Elements of Clinical Self Psychology. New York: The Guilford Press.
Wurmser, L. (1981). The Mask of Shame. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins UP.
Las Vegas through the eyes of Twenge and Campbell can be seen as the epicentre of narcissism in modern day; its glamorous and flashy appearance is only the distorted reflection of narcissism’s truly destructive nature. The paper shall look at the symptoms and harm caused by this very phenomenon.
Excesses in Vegas and in the rest of the country
The excesses in Vegas epitomize this very concept because they represent what occurs throughout the entire country in a smaller scale. In fact, Twenge and Campbell (36) assert that narcissism is an epidemic which can be reflected in individuals and also in society at large. The authors refer to a series of statistics that support their assertions regarding the existence of a narcissistic epidemic in the country. For instance, they claim that studies carried after the year 2005 indicate that a tenth of all persons in the country who are below the age of thirty have encountered the narcissistic personality disorder –which is a psychological disorder emanating from narcissism. This clearly indicates that there is a problem within the population. Narcissistic individuals have overinflated egos and are too confident in themselves. (Theodore, 58) In the long run, they usually end up indulging in excesses that cause their ruin. (Golomb, 139) Such elements are quite visible in Las Vegas. One only has to look at the mortgage mayhem in this state to see how it is related to the general narcissistic trend in the entire country.
Recent reports indicate that Las Vegas has become a cause for alarm in the housing sector. Real estate analysts assert that it is largely because the loans applicable in Vegas were subject to much high rates once defaulted than the usual mortgage fixed rate loans. (Les, 9) Some zips in Las Vegas have recorded about seven hundred and forty one fillings while others about six hundred and sixty five. When all these foreclosures are added up then this translates into an overwhelming number of house losses. It is vey interesting to note that these high numbers were not propagated by poor economic conditions in the state (on the contrary, Vegas has a vey strong economic base) but the terms of the purchase were the problem. Most home owners wanted to take advantage of the rising housing prices. They thought that once they started paying up their mortgage charges for a few years, then the value of their houses would continue going up and this would allow them to change their mortgage loan to more affordable ones. Such individuals had overstretched their capabilities and when the house prices did not go up (they instead dropped very quickly) the home owners eventually lost their houses. This over ambitiousness and greed is a sign of an extensive belief in the self; a symptom that is exclusive to narcissistic individuals. Similarly, the rest of the US population is also undergoing the same. (Adler, 16) Studies reveal that in this year, one in about three hundred and fifty seven individuals was facing the danger of mortgage foreclosure. Like Twenge and Campbell (36) argue, the narcissistic phenomenon may seem positive at first glance but in the long run, its detrimental effects start showing. (Mitchell & Greenberg, 135) They explain that the US population is now grappling with foreclosures because of its easy credit regime. Here, people could live in fancy houses and pretend to be rich even when they were not. When reality sunk in, foreclosure became a huge wake up call on their part.
Plastic surgery and augmentation in the rest of the country can be likened to the extravagant designs prevalent within Las Vegas. In “The Narcissism epidemic” the authors claim that a substantial number of individuals within the nation are now resorting to plastic surgery in order to enhance their looks. The term Narcissism stems from the Greek myth of Narcissus. The latter was a river god who had been approached by several suitors but sent them all away. Narcissus one day felt very thirsty and knelt down to drink from a nearby pool. As he was doing so he saw his reflection and fell in love it. This individual became obsessed with his image and could no longer think of anything else. However with time, Narcissus realised that his reflection was not responding in kind. It could not reach out and love him back. Out of frustration, he decided to end his misery by committing suicide. (Lowen, 15) Tragically, many narcissists epitomise the trend of the Greek god; so many of them are so preoccupied with their looks that they resort to extreme measures in order to enhance themselves. The common citizenry can be seen going for breast implants, face lists, nose jobs and the like just so that they can fuel this obsession with themselves. Such symptoms provide testament to the existence of narcissism. (Roninstam, 204)
Similarly, these extreme measures can also be found in Vegas. One only has to look at its physical environments to see the similarities. Las Vegas is full of extravagant house designs. For instance, when one walks across a street in Las Vegas Nevada known as Rue de la Paix, one finds a series of structures that are synonymous with an extravagant lifestyle. For instance, there are buildings that have exteriors synonymous to a palace. Gondolas are prevalent to transport individuals from one shopping mall to another in water canals, some meeting joints have decorated gold leaf and marble on all surfaces. (Sway, 1)There is so much that denotes the ‘spectacular lifestyle’ in this City. However, when one critically examines the people that visit there or live there, one can find that there is excessive self indulgence. People spend extravagant amounts in order to make themselves feel below this testifying that narcissism is really at work here. (Lyon, par 13)
Negative effects of narcissism in Las Vegas are similar to those in the US
All the negative effects of narcissism in America can be compared to the negative effects of this phenomenon in Las Vegas as well. For instance the intensity of environmental degradation in Las Vegas is comparable to environmental destruction in the rest of the country. A study carried out in Macau – which is a City found in Japan but with traits so similar to Las Vegas that it has been identified by this name found that there were substantial levels of environmental pollution in this area. For instance, it was identified that solid waste disposal, water supply, noise prevention, air quality, environmental management and poor conservation were all common problems in this area. (Yu, 667)This was because of the excessive gambling and tourism that was inherent in the City. The latter study can be applied to the real Las Vegas because it has more or less the same characteristics; tourists tend to go to Vegas because of the gambling opportunities available to them and this overindulgence is harming the environment.
Similarly, the United States is also confronted with the problem of environmental destruction. In fact, recent statistics show that the country is the second highest emitter of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and is therefore one of the biggest contributors to global warming. (Adam & Vidal, 34) Besides that, it has also been shown that the country’s animal and plant species are diminishing. For instance the mega fauna, bald eagle and the passenger pigeons are just some of the tragic examples of this phenomenon of overconsumption and under preservation. Deforestation has been a cause for concern throughout the nation. Eighty six percent of all the fuel consumed in the country is obtained from fossil fuels. Also, the United States is regarded as the greatest emitter of hazardous solid wastes as it has been asserted that every individual is responsible for approximately seven hundred and sixty kilograms of waste. All these serve to cause pollution within the country’s perimeters as a substantial portion of the land is now being turned in landfills. Clearly, overconsumption results in production of greater pollutants and this will eventually harm the whole global environment. There is a need to acknowledge the fact that narcissism which causes people to want to purchase unnecessary things is the root cause of all these environmental degradation. (Grunberger, 139)
When looking at the negative effects of narcissism, the authors of “the narcissism epidemic” claim that this phenomenon often causes individuals to be so ruthless, or amoral in their day to day dealings that they will stop at nothing to get what they want/ on other words, a narcissist is a survivor who only thinks of short term pleasure at the expense of others. These individuals tend to change their personas depending on the situation at hand. (Vaknn (b), 34) For example, when one needs to be interactive in a social gathering, a narcissist will appear charming because this is what suits him at the moment. On the other hand, in the event that a narcissist requires a material item, then that person will engage in robbery, burglary or any other form of theft in order to fuel their self indulgent egos. (Vaknin(c), 205)
The United States has recorded some of the highest crime rates in the world because people tend to be interested in getting what they want even when this entails breaking the law. An examination of Las Vegas also shows a more exaggerated trend of crime. Las Vegas has an influx of about five thousand new people every single month. Most of these people come to Vegas in order to make fast cash and then go back to their original homes. The problem with such a mentality is that a number of people tend to rely on gambling for these overnight successes yet some of them do not necessarily think of the consequences of those actions. The criminal justice system in Las Vegas is overwhelmed by these reports and has therefore responded very poorly to some of the reports made by victims. In fact, some Las Vegas stakeholders have asserted that this could be the reason behind the alleged lower crime rates. (PRN, 54)However, the numbers are still quite alarming. Shown below is a summary of some of the statistics:
Theft
Motor vehicle theft
Burglary
Reported Las Vegas
29, 575
16,723
14, 320
Rate per thousand –Las Vegas
61.79
33.81
29.9
Reported United States
6, 777, 807
1,235,326
2, 154, 128
Rate per thousand in United States
22.86
4.17
7.27
As it can be seen, the rates in Las Vegas are much higher than the national average and this can been explained by overindulgence and narcissism within this federal state.
Narcissism is the trend and epicentre in Las VeGas
Twenge and Campbell (3) define narcissism as the process of having an inflated sense of self. This is usually witnessed when the concerned individual thinks of oneself as being unique and special and when that person assumes that they are entitled to all the good things in life even when this is at the expense of others. Sometimes, narcissists may deceive others by appearing more sociable and influential. However, after a critical analysis, it is possible to see why there is more to them tan meets the eye. More often than not, these individuals are usually after nursing their self esteem and when they realise that doing so may not be easy then they may resort to extreme measures – for instance, they can steal, hurt or lie to others to have their way. (Vaknin(a), 12)
All the latter traits can be witnessed within the Las Vegas scene and also in the rest of the country. For instance, mortgages had an initial appeal to narcissists at the beginning of the housing boom despite their enormous risks. Narcissists wanted to bask in the glory of owning their homes and appearing well-off to their colleagues. Eventually this culminated in a series of mortgage foreclosures as witnessed in Las Vegas’ high foreclosure rates and also in the rest of the country. Overconfidence and greed are critical components of both the subprime mortgage crisis as well as a narcissistic culture. Besides that, plastic surgery and extravagant house designs are aesthetically pleasing. Nonetheless, these benefits only serve to fulfil the inner desire to become more interesting or more special. (Guntrip, 34)This yearning can never be fully overcome and it eventually perpetuates a cycle of self destruction. Plastic surgery has caused a series of complications to well known celebrities such as the late Michael Jackson.
Issues of environmental degradation are also a result of self indulgence because overconsumption of resources leads to the creation of immense waste and this eventually affects the environment. All these negative environmental traits are epitomised in Las Vegas and they represent what goes on in the rest of the country as well.
Conclusion
Through the use of examples and statistics, it has been demonstrated that both positive and negative trends happening in Vegas are also happening on a much smaller scale throughout America. These comparisons exhibit the characteristics of Twenge and Campbell’s idea of narcissism. Therefore, we can say that Vegas is the epicentre of this modern shift towards a narcissistic society.
References
Twenge, J.M. and W. K. Campbell. The Narcissism Epidemic: Living in the Age of Entitlement. New York: Free Press, 2009
Narcissism, or simply the love of self, is a trait that is highly portrayed by many people. These people tend to strictly do or perceive things in favor of themselves but on the expense of others. Even if the thing is done by others; narcissists will come in to prove how it suits them but not the doers. This trait is more of a vice than a virtue. In as much as one can love him/herself, the love narrows down to vice if it does not include the love for others. It is worthy noting that any organization or institution that is dominated by narcissists is subject to deterioration. This is because this category of people takes a full advantage of whatever the organization has put in place, to build them regardless of the corresponding impact on the particular institution. As a result, measures have been put in place to curb the entry of narcissists in any institution. Among these is the subjection of a personality test to all applicants as well as interviewing them prior to admission. Another working remedy is the harnessing of grade inflation. A good number of stories addressing the subject of narcissism have been published as illustrated next.
Following the high rate of the spread of narcissism, the story ‘The Rising Tide of Narcissism: What B-Schools Can Do’ has been found in the media addressing the issue. Published by Daly and Westerman, the story is concerned with the evident rise of narcissism specifically in business schools. It points out the risk that has cropped up in these schools as a result of narcissists. It further points out how this trait has deprived these schools of their integrity and status. It is an informative piece of work that gives the relevant measures that once implemented can arrest the whole narcissism toxin.
The aforementioned story revolves around the business school students. They are pictured as the millennial generation narcissists, who are dominating most of the business schools. According to Daly and Westerman, these students stand out as barriers of the school’s development (Para 1). To worsen the matter, these are the future managers, a clear indication of the big problem that needs to be fought against before it fully develops. A point to note is how this trait emerges. In the story, narcissism is a creation of the mind that results from the increasing student population whereby if one student has the trait; it gets spread to the rest following the students’ day-to-day interactions since each wants to be recognized by the rest.
These students stand out as possessing a narcissistic element as the story unfolds because of their behaviors. The discussed behavior is no more than that of self loving people who never mind of others. For instance, they are exploitative, proud of themselves, and show no sympathy to others. In addition, these students are ever finding fault on other students following their failures and always want to be credited on the success of things that they have actually not contributed. They are pictured as haters of any kind of a depressing reaction. These, among others, are the evident qualities which have been realized on the students and since they are all possessed by narcissists, the students therefore possess a narcissistic element.
This narcissistic element turns to be that of ‘being above the rules.’ Narcissists’ behaviors or decision are strictly based on the fact that, according to them, no rule can stand against their ways and that is why they can do anything to people regardless of the impact or outcome, provided it is to their advantage. This is what makes the entire issue a vice and major barrier of progress to the business schools.
Works Cited
Daly, Joe & Westerman, Jim. The Rising Tide of Narcissism: What B-Schools Can Do, 2010. Web.
A narcissistic personality disorder is a mental problem where an individual develops a feeling that he or she is superior to other members of society. People who suffer from this disorder tend to look down upon other members of society. They would prefer using others to their own benefit and disregard the need to respect others or the law. Although there are no known biological causes of this disease, many medical practitioners have related it to poor parentage, where children are made to feel superior to other members of society. If left untreated, patients suffering from this disease may suffer from a series of social problems. They may not be able to have sustainable relationships in their lives. They may also react aggressively whenever they are criticized by anyone in society. In order to treat this disease, psychologists and physicians have always recommended the use of psychotherapy in order to correct the mental disorder.
Defining narcissism
Narcissism is a personality disorder that is a state of mind where an individual develops a feeling of superiority over others within a given social setting. Paris (2013) defines narcissism as “A mental disorder in which people have an inflated sense of their own importance and a deep need for admiration.” As seen in this definition, this is a mental disorder where an individual feels overly superior to others in all spheres. They develop a strong sense of self-appreciation, always feeling superior to others in society. It is important to understand that narcissism is different from self- esteem or egocentric feelings. It goes beyond the two.
It is a strong feeling of self-superiority that makes one feel that others are objects that do not deserve any form of attention. The fact that this feeling makes one despise others and over-value self is what makes it a disorder. People suffering from the disorder cannot relate with other members of the society in a proper way because they will always be feeling that they are mere objects. These people are also hypersensitive to any form of criticism. Because they feel superior to others, they may not take any form of criticism from people. They can react violently when criticized, or be withdrawn, a fact that will affect their quality of life.
Cause of narcissism
It is necessary to understand some of the causes of this disorder in order to determine how to address it at its earliest onset. According to Pallone (2005), there are no known biological causes of narcissism. This scholar associates narcissism with complex dysfunction in childhood. Most of the scholars have only identified risk factors that may be associated with the disease. One of the risk factors may be excessive pampering by parents during early childhood and late into adolescence. Extreme expectations from the victims or people around the victim over him or her may also cause narcissism. Some scholars have always associated this mental disorder with neglect or abuse during early childhood, while others relate it to genetic causes. Excessive praise from others, unpredictable caregiving, oversensitive temperament, and manipulative behavior of the parents or guardians may also lead to this mental disorder.
Effects of having the disorder
A narcissistic personality disorder may have serious effects on the victim, especially if it is not addressed adequately at its early stages. One of the main effects of this disorder is that it makes it difficult for an individual to have a positive relationship with peers and other members of society. According to Pallone (2005), no one likes being viewed as an object. When an individual despises other members of the society, what he or she is likely to receive out of this is a strong feeling of resentment and despise from others. This may have a serious negative impact on one’s social life. Such an individual may be forced to lead a solitary life because everyone would try to avoid them.
DuBrin (2012) notes that, people with narcissistic personality disorder, may find it difficult to obey laws, rules and regulations. This means that, at school, such individuals may find it difficult to obey their teachers and other authorities because they will always consider themselves above the law. In a society, they may have problems in obeying the law because they will always consider themselves superior to everyone. Another effect of narcissism is the inability to accept criticism from others. These individuals always feel superior to others, and do not expect any form of criticism from them. They will always view such criticism as a way of looking down upon them despite their superior nature. This may make them withdrawn or act violently against the critics. If people suffering from this mental disorder ascend to position of leadership, it may be extremely difficult to offer them guidance when they make mistakes. They will always make their words to be law irrespective of how unreasonable they may be before the society.
Treating narcissism
It is important to offer treatment to the victims of this disorder as soon as it is diagnosed in order to avoid further effects it may have on them. According to Banja (2005), the main medication that a patient suffering from this disorder may get is psychotherapy. This is because it is a mental disorder that may not be treated by offering medications to the patient. A number of therapies may be offered to the patient depending on the stage of the disorder in order to address it adequately. Cognitive behavioral therapy may be necessary to help the patient identify negative unhealthy beliefs and behavior that is undesirable in the society. These beliefs will need to be replaced with a positive attitude in the society where one learns to appreciate every member of the society. Family therapy may also be necessary to supplement cognitive behavioral therapy. Family therapy would involve exploring issues such as communication problems, conflict management, and problem solving skills.
Parents can play an important role in this by making their children realize that they are just as good as other members of the society. They should be made to believe that no one is too superior to others to be able to relate with everyone positively. Group therapy may also be important, especially if the group consists of people with a similar condition. The psychotherapist may work with the group to make them appreciate the equality of every member of the society, and the need to treat everyone with a sense of decorum. It is important to note that, at times, these patients may develop anxiety and depression if the condition is not addressed in time. Anxiety and depression may be managed using anti-anxiety and antidepressant medications.
People who can treat narcissism
Treating of this disorder needs experts who can be able to diagnose the condition and prescribe appropriate medication. Psychotherapists are in the best position to detect this disorder and prescribe the best approach of treatment. They are expected to conduct the cognitive behavioral therapy. They are also expected to guide the process of family or group therapies. In cases where the patient is suffering from any form of physical pain caused by the anxiety or depression, then physicians may be of great help.
Diagnosis of the disease
The diagnosis of narcissism can be conducted by either analyzing its signs and symptoms, or by conducting a psychological evaluation. According to Welt & Herron (2001), the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders may be necessary in order to conduct a diagnosis of this disorder. There will be a number of issues that will need to be detected in the patient before a conclusion can be made to confirm that the patient is suffering from the disease. Exaggerated sense of importance, preoccupation with success, and the belief that one is special are some of the signs of this disorder (Meier, Charlebois, & Munz 2009).
People with constant self-admiration, sense of entitlement, the need to use others, or inability to appreciate others needs could also be a further pointer that one could be suffering from this complication. Others may develop serious envy towards others they consider more successful than them, the fact that may make them behave arrogantly. It is important to identify these symptoms during diagnosis because they are pointers that one could be suffering from this mental disorder.
The relationship between the disorder and the effect of the parenting
According to Pallone (2005), there is a close relationship between this mental disorder and the effect of parenting. Although there are no known biological causes of this disease, medical practitioners have associated it with the kind of upbringing a child gets during early stages of development. According to Paris (2013), a child that is excessively pampered by the parents may get this disorder because they are made to believe that they are special over their peers. They develop knowing that they superior, and with time, this feeling turns into a serious mental disorder of narcissism. Some psychologists have also related the bullish nature of some parents to this disorder.
Parents who constantly mistreat others or make them feel inferior to them in the presence of their children are likely to pass the disorder to their children. Such children will develop knowing that there are those who are inferior to others. They will want to emulate their parents and be the superior members of the society. To achieve this, they will try to act as their parents, abusing their peers, and viewing others as lesser beings.
According to the research the research by DuBrin (2012), parents who neglect their children are also likely to blame for this mental disorder. Children who are neglected by their parents may develop this disorder, especially when they are subjected to various forms of abuses (Goodman, Goodman, & Leff 2011). They develop the disorder as a self-defense mechanism. The disorder comes as a way of forcing other members of the society to accept them. This means , there is a direct relationship between the disorder and the effect of parenting.
References
Banja, J. D. (2005). Medical errors and medical narcissism. Sudbury, Mass: Jones and Bartlett Publishers. Web.
DuBrin, A. J. (2012). Narcissism in the workplace: Research, opinion and practice. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar. Web.
Goodman, M. E. C. L., Goodman, M. D. C. L., & Leff, L. B. (2011). The Everything Guide to Narcissistic Personality Disorder: Professional, Reassuring Advice for Coping with the Disorder – At Work, at Home, and in Your Family. Holbrook: F+W Media. Web.
Meier, P. D., Charlebois, L., & Munz, C. (2009). You might be a narcissist if: How to identify narcissism in ourselves and others and what we can do about it. Minneapolis, MN: Langdon Street Press. Web.
Pallone, N. J. (2005). Altruism, narcissism, comity: Research perspectives from Current psychology. New Brunswick, N.J: Tranaction Publishers. Web.
Paris, J. (2013). Psychotherapy in an age of narcissism: Modernity, science, and society. S.l: s.n.. Web.
Welt, S. R., & Herron, W. G. (2001). Narcissism and the psychotherapist. New York: Guilford Press. Web.