Toxic positivity, Toxic Gratitude, Malignant Optimism: Self-gaslighting
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 the negative impact of denying one’s true emotions and the need to accept and address negative feelings. Vaknin also highlights the prevalence of self-gaslighting in society and its contribution to rising rates of depression and anxiety.
Competitive Victimhood: Dark Triad ADHD Activists ( Literature Review)
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 several studies that link virtue signaling to dark triad personality traits and explores the consequences of the tendency for interpersonal victimhood. Vaknin also discusses the surprising political activity of individuals with ADHD and the impact of victimhood on social and political dynamics. He warns of the dangerous implications of victimhood and calls for a collective fight against it.
Why Narcissist Must Win, Be Right ( Psychopath, Too!)
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 in preemptive winning and are willing to pay a heavy personal price to maintain their grandiosity. Their insistence on winning and being right is a defense of their fragile self-image and a rejection of reality and everyone in it.
New Light on Victims of Narcissistic Abuse (With Macy Nelson)
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 abusers, the cycle of idealization and devaluation, and the challenges of forgiveness and self-forgiveness. He also highlights the inherent inability of cluster B personalities to experience empathy and emotional resonance.
BEWARE! Toxic Self-help Myths, Predatory Coaches, Gurus, and “Healers” (Compilation)
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 generally less happy than childless individuals or those whose children have left home.
3. Stress can have natural benefits, and changing one’s mindset about stress may turn it into a positive influence on one’s life. However, mindfulness and meditation can sometimes worsen conditions like depression and anxiety.
4. The marshmallow test, which suggested that children who could delay gratification would be more successful later in life, may not account for cultural influences on behavior. Children’s ability to delay gratification is heavily influenced by their cultural upbringing and societal conventions.
“ Science” Of Psychology: Presentism, Other Errors
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 analysis, emphasizing the influence of contemporary beliefs and values on research and teaching. Vaknin also addresses the shifting meanings of words and the prevalence of misinformation in psychology and related fields, ultimately critiquing the pretension of psychology as a science and the toxic nature of the self-help industry.
Message to Mentally Ill: You are Doing the Best You Can!
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 fit in and make others happy. Despite the challenges, they continue to strive for success and self-acceptance, embracing defeat and failure as part of their journey.
Flying Monkeys of Narcissist Zero: Language of Narcissistic Abuse
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, provenance, and intellectual lineage. He argues that plagiarism is intellectual murder and that people deserve credit for their work. He sees the lack of recognition as a threat to civilization, as it sacrifices time and memory for instant gratification.
Covert Narcissist’s Abuse= Coercive Control?
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. It is a premeditated, goal-oriented strategy that is not the result of mental illness and should be fought against. This type of control is distinct from typical abuse and reflects a power asymmetry.
What’s Wrong with Our Dystopian World (Starts at 05:56)
The text is a rant about the state of the world, discussing various societal issues and expressing dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs. It covers topics such as internet stickiness, narcissistic behavior, societal norms, censorship, and the decline of traditional values. The author expresses a bleak outlook on the future of humanity and the world.