Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the complexities of divorce, including the historical dynamics of the couple, the rise of divorce as an exit strategy, and the impact of modern societal trends on relationships. He reviews 12 common reasons for divorce, such
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the concept of “self gaslighting,” where individuals deceive themselves into believing that they cannot trust their own understanding of reality. He explores three forms of self gaslighting: toxic positivity, toxic gratitude, and malignant optimism. He emphasizes
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the subversion of public discourse by victimhood movements and identity politics. He argues that many social and political activists are mentally ill, particularly narcissistic and psychopathic, and that victimhood has become a competitive identity. He reviews
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the reasons why narcissists always feel the need to win and be right. He explains that narcissists and psychopaths interact with the game, not with the players, and define winning as a win-lose situation. They engage
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the dynamics of narcissistic abuse and cluster B personality disorders. He emphasizes the prevalence of victimhood as a proxy for identity politics and the need for self-accountability. Vaknin delves into the psychological defenses of victims and
Summary of the text:
1. Abusive behavior in relationships can be linked to high levels of love and commitment, as it may indicate a greater motive for controlling or retaliating against a partner.
2. Parents with children at home are
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the limitations of psychology and social sciences, arguing that they cannot be considered true sciences due to their reliance on social and cultural values. He highlights the concept of presentism and anachronism in historical and psychological
Mental illness is a pervasive, consuming, and defining force that affects individuals and their relationships. It is a constant companion, overwhelming and debilitating, leading to self-loathing and self-defeat. The mentally ill face stigma, ostracization, and ridicule, as they struggle to
Professor Sam Vaknin insists on being credited for his work because he values history and memory. He claims to have coined a significant amount of language related to narcissism and narcissistic abuse, and he believes it’s important to recognize paternity,
Today’s lecture covers covert narcissistic abuse and coercive control. Covert narcissists engage in passive-aggressive abuse, creating networks of people to target and manipulate others. Coercive control, a rare phenomenon, involves intimidation, social isolation, invasive monitoring, and deprivation of basic needs.