Can Men Be Good Mothers? Can AI Robots?
Gender roles are social constructs and not biologically determined. While sex is largely determined at birth, gender is a result of socialization and upbringing. Anyone, regardless of their sex, can fulfill the role of a mother or father, as these roles are jobs with specific functions and qualifications. The way boys and girls are raised by their mothers can create an imbalance in emotional expression and contribute to gender-related issues in society.
How Narcissist Steals Your Unconscious, Lures YOU into His Nightmare World
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses how narcissists lure their victims into their surreal and nightmarish world. He compares the experience of being with a narcissist to various literary and philosophical examples, such as Alice in Wonderland and Lacan’s mirror stage. Narcissists create a dreamlike state for their victims, causing them to lose their sense of self and reality. The narcissist’s world is one of infinite emptiness, where victims become trapped in a maze of mirrors, unable to find their way out.
20 WRONG Ideas About Therapy, Psychology
Psychology is a vast field that goes beyond therapy and mental health, encompassing various aspects of human behavior, cognition, and emotion. It is not a science, but rather a discipline with a rich body of literature and insights. Psychologists work in various settings, not just clinical ones, and can help people gain insights into their lives and behaviors. While some myths about psychology may hold a grain of truth, it is important to recognize the complexity and value of the field.
Therapist Your Father, Wife Your Mother: Transference as Flashback Light
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the concept of transference in psychology, comparing it to a “flashback light” where individuals project emotions and ideas from past relationships onto new figures in their lives. He explains how transference can lead to dysfunctional patterns of behavior and relational dynamics, particularly in individuals with certain attachment styles or personality disorders. Vaknin also delves into the concept of projective identification, where individuals try to force new people in their lives to conform to familiar, often unhealthy, relational patterns from the past. Ultimately, he views transference as a resistance and a repetition compulsion that seeks redemptive resolution but never materializes.
Watch, IF YOU DARE! Narcissist: Shocking New View (Part 2 of Interview with Sandy Ghazal Ansari)
In this lecture, Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the concept of narcissism in relation to Freud and Jung’s theories. He explains how narcissism is the defining feature of personality and how it is linked to the development of the self. Vaknin also delves into the dynamics of narcissistic abuse and the impact of childhood trauma and learning disabilities on the development of personality disorders. He also explores the concept of the true self and the false self, as well as the role of group dynamics in shaping individual identity.
Psychologists Wrong to Discard Earlier Wisdom (Part 1 of Interview with Sandy Ghazal Ansari)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the state of psychology education and the shift towards quantitative and statistical approaches in the field. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining a textual and qualitative approach to psychology, and laments the loss of wisdom from earlier psychological schools. Vaknin also delves into his personal journey with psychology, his admiration for Freud, and his eclectic approach to integrating various psychological theories. He critiques the concept of the individual and the ego, and advocates for a more grounded and flexible understanding of psychological constructs.
Borderline or Covert Narcissist? (7th Intl. Conference on Psychiatry & Psychological Disorders)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the differential diagnosis between borderline and covert narcissism. He explains that high-functioning borderlines can be misdiagnosed as covert narcissists due to their ability to regulate their emotions and control mood lability. However, he provides critical differences between the two disorders, including how they externalize aggression, experience separation insecurity, maintain object constancy, and view themselves. He also notes that paranoid ideation is common to both disorders but has different etiologies. Finally, he emphasizes the importance of uncovering all presenting signs and symptoms to make an accurate diagnosis.
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.
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.
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.