Narcissist Not Thinking Straight: Cognitive Disorders (Distortion, Bias, Deficit)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses cognitive deficits, biases, and distortions, and their impact on thinking processes. He explains that cognition is not just about thinking, but also about knowledge and understanding the world. He delves into the ways in which cognition can go awry, leading to attribution errors, fantasy, and reality distortion, particularly in individuals with personality disorders like narcissism. He also explores various theories related to cognitive dissonance, self-affirmation, and emotional arousal, and how they contribute to the cognitive and emotional experiences of individuals with pathological narcissism.
Narcissism, Lonely Codependent “Love”, Victimhood: Unholy Trinity (Mexico City Q&A)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses self-splitting, a defense mechanism where individuals perceive themselves as either all good or all bad. Addicts typically perceive themselves as all bad and use addiction to transition from a negative self-image to a positive one. Codependency is a personality disorder where individuals depend on their partner to regulate their internal world and manipulate their partner through helplessness. In dealing with a narcissistic parent, the non-narcissistic parent can only provide the child with an alternative model and cannot protect the child from the narcissistic parent. Malignant love involves trying to merge with the partner and losing individuality, while healthy love involves maintaining boundaries and individual lives. Good addiction promotes well-being and growth, while bad addiction reduces anxiety and is grounded in fantasy. Social media does not enhance narcissism but may amplify psychopathy and negative emotions. Solitude is not a sickness, but loneliness can lead to mental health issues and is encouraged by society and technology.
Is Dan Guilty of Murder? Identity and Memory (Film Review: Shattered)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the concept of self-identity and its relation to memory and responsibility using the movie “Shattered” as an example. He explores the idea that memory is necessary but not sufficient for possessing a self-identity, and delves into the implications of memory loss on criminal responsibility. Vaknin raises thought-provoking questions about the nature of self-identity and its connection to memory, ultimately arguing that without a continuous personal history, one’s self-identity is compromised, and therefore, they cannot be held responsible for actions they do not remember committing.
Jokes, Humor: Sadistic, Cruel, Weaponized (Excerpt)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the nature of jokes and humor, emphasizing three key elements: lack of empathy, sadism, and therapeutic value. He explains that jokes often involve the absence of empathy and a sense of superiority over the subjects of the joke, leading to a form of sadism. Additionally, he suggests that jokes serve as a therapeutic outlet for socially unacceptable impulses and provide a safe space to express dark or aggressive thoughts. Vaknin views humor as a form of legitimate sadism and a social glue that creates intimacy and bonding among people.
Addiction: Everything We Know Is Wrong! (EXCERPT with Conor Ryan, Eyes Wide Open Podcast)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses addiction, arguing that rehab centers are ineffective and that addiction is a choice influenced by the environment. He suggests that addiction may have positive aspects and that society encourages addiction through consumerism and other incentives. Vaknin also addresses the impact of pornography on society and the potential challenges of banning it. He emphasizes the need for comprehensive sex education as a potential solution.
Serial Killers: Intimacy of Dead Bodies (with Melissa Rondeau, LMHC, MBA)
In this lecture, Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the topic of serial killers. He emphasizes that there is no common motivation for serial killers and that they are not all clones of each other. He highlights the importance of relying on the National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crimes in the FBI for accurate information about serial killers. Vaknin also delves into the psychological profile of serial killers, discussing their motivations, behaviors, and the prevalence of psychopathy among them. He also touches on the concept of grandiosity and its role in the mindset of serial killers. Throughout the lecture, Vaknin provides insights into the complex and disturbing world of serial killers, shedding light on their behaviors and motivations.
Narcissism “Conspiracy”: Historical Roots of Contemporary Narcissism Pandemic
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the three historical movements that have shaped modern society: the Renaissance, Protestantism, and the Enlightenment. He explains how these movements have led to the rise of pathological narcissism and its impact on society. Vaknin argues that these ideologies have created a culture of individualism, victimhood, and unrealistic expectations, leading to the current state of social and political turmoil. He suggests that in order to address these issues, there needs to be a substantial reform of social structures and institutions to move away from the values of the past and towards a more grounded and realistic approach.
Don’t Let Loneliness Define or Guide You! (Excerpt)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the impact of loneliness on people’s decision-making, particularly in relationships with narcissists. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing warning signs and gut instincts early on in dating, rather than denying them due to loneliness. Vaknin highlights the prevalence of loneliness in society and encourages individuals to embrace their own company and practice self-love, as no one else will do it for them.
NPD CANCELLED in ICD-11: Narcissism=Dissociality+Anankastia+Negative Affectivity (Starts 07:54)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the differences between the DSM and the ICD diagnostic manuals, focusing on the diagnosis of narcissistic personality disorder. He explains that the ICD takes a more flexible and organic approach to diagnosing personality disorders, using trait domains and severity levels to capture the essence of narcissism without using the specific term “narcissistic personality disorder.” Vaknin also delves into the clinical manifestations and origins of narcissism, as well as the debate surrounding covert versus overt narcissism and the potential removal of narcissistic personality disorder from future editions of the DSM.
Psychopath Hopeful Breakthroughs: Oxytocin, Schema Therapy, Reciprocal Altruism (Literature Review)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the hopeful findings from recent studies on antisocial personality disorder, including psychopathy. He expresses discomfort with the hopeful nature of the studies, as his work typically focuses on bleak and hopeless topics. He explains that psychopathy and antisocial personality disorder are not recognized clinical terms and shares his views on their classification as mental illnesses. He also discusses the latest breakthroughs in understanding and treating these disorders, including the potential benefits of inter-nasal oxytocin and the importance of early intervention. Additionally, he explores the use of reciprocal altruism theory in therapy and the effectiveness of schema therapy for violent offenders with antisocial personality disorder. Throughout the lecture, he expresses skepticism and discomfort with the idea of hope for treating these disorders.