Narcissist Dreads Change, Uses Sex to Reduce Anxiety
Narcissists are change-averse due to their belief that they already know everything and their lack of curiosity about themselves and others. They also confuse their internal and external environments, leading to a fear that any change in the external environment will result in self-destruction. To reduce anxiety, narcissists engage in unusual psychosexuality and seek intimate partners to legitimize their sexual preferences. As society becomes more narcissistic, these behaviors become more prevalent, especially among women who conform to male stereotypes to gain attention and validation.
Narcissism – Quo Vadis? (with Anwesh Satpathy)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the differences between narcissism, narcissistic style, and narcissistic personality disorder. He explains that narcissism is a natural developmental stage but can become pathological if it persists into adulthood. He also touches on the fluidity of cluster B personality disorders and the potential for a unified model of personality disorder. Vaknin criticizes the field of psychology, calling it a pseudoscience, and discusses the impact of social media on society, advocating for regulation of technology but not content. He also reflects on the role of elites in society and the potential for a society without elites.
Mistaken for Shyness
Emotions are composites and can be broken down into more basic emotions, cognitions, or states of mind. Shyness is often mistaken for other processes, such as paranoid ideation, depression, body dysmorphia, strong inhibitions, passive aggression, fear of intimacy, and hypermazochistic psychosexuality. Psychopaths and covert narcissists can also appear shy due to early childhood experiences of rejection and ridicule. These composites emotions are easily mislabeled and misinterpreted by observers.
Self-Identity: Myth or Reality? Just WHO are YOU?
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the concept of identity and its relation to memory, introspection, and the unconscious mind. He argues that having a memory is not a necessary or sufficient condition for possessing a self-identity, as one’s unconscious mind plays a significant role in shaping one’s identity. Vaknin suggests that self-identity is a dynamic, ever-changing construct influenced by various factors, including genetics, upbringing, and social interactions. He concludes that while a person may have a self-identity, it may not be their own, as it can change dramatically over time.
No Intimacy Without Personal Boundaries (Q&A)
Intimacy skills are inextricably linked to the capacity to maintain and enforce personal boundaries. People with personality disorders don’t have personal boundaries, which makes it impossible for them to do intimacy. Intimacy is a balancing act between separateness and togetherness, sharing commonalities and having a private life separate from the partner. The younger generations have tremendous deficiencies in relationship and intimacy skills because they don’t have the chance to experience even intimacy in relationships.
Adultery – the New Monogamy? (2nd World Congress on Psychiatry and Psychology, July 2021)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the future of monogamy and argues that it is ill-suited to the demands of modern Western civilization. He notes that casual sex is dominant among people aged 25 to 35, and infidelity is at an all-time high. Women have become richer and more empowered, leading to a shift towards a matriarchal society. Vaknin also discusses the changing nature of relationships and the challenges younger generations face in forming them.
Narcissist, Psychotic Reject Reality (Keynote Speech World Conference Addiction Psychiatry, 07/2021)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses psychological defense mechanisms, focusing on internal objects, introjects, and the role of psychological defense mechanisms as guardians of the mind’s narrative. He also explores the concepts of dissociation and cognitive distortions, and their relationship to self-states, narcissism, and psychosis. Vaknin emphasizes the impact of defense mechanisms on the individual’s ability to cope with reality and the resulting anxiety and depression.
Lamenting the New Normal (with Megan Fox, The Fringe)
Sam Vaknin, a professor of psychology and economics, discusses the misuse of psychological disorders in family courts and the rise of narcissism and psychopathy in society. He also addresses the lack of expertise in certain fields, the impact of victimhood on individuals, and the intersectionality of abuse. He emphasizes the need for personal responsibility and accountability.
Narcissists Love Your Victimhood (Game Changers Interview 3 of 3)
Dr. Sam Vaknin discusses the challenges of educating potential victims of narcissistic abuse, emphasizing that education alone is not enough to prevent victimization. He explains that victims often have unclear personal boundaries, are people-pleasers, and have deep psychological needs that make them prone to victimhood. Vaknin suggests that it is more important to address the psychology of the victim than their cognitive capacity to recognize abuse. He also highlights the need to restore faith in the future for both victims and narcissists, as well as the elites who have lost perspective on the future.
How Narcissists Undermine Workplaces, Businesses (Game Changers Interview 2 of 3)
In this conversation, Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the effect of narcissism on the workplace. He explains that Western workplaces encourage the abuse of power and objectify workers, creating an incentive for both overt and covert narcissists. The hierarchy in Western workplaces is a Western invention, and it is part of Western civilization because the West organizes itself around industry. The only solution to narcissism and psychopathy in corporations and institutions is to transition from hierarchy to network, as the network organizational principle has numerous advantages and can counter the undue influence of narcissists and psychopaths.