Is Personal Growth Always Positive? (with Clinical Psychologist Daria Zukowska)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the concept of personal growth and development, emphasizing its cultural and psychological aspects. He delves into the theories of Abraham Maslow, Carl Rogers, and Clayton Alderfer, highlighting the cultural determinants of growth and the cyclical nature of the process. Vaknin also challenges the notion of a unitary, integrated self, advocating for a more fragmented and dynamic understanding of human identity. He touches on the role of therapy in integrating fragmented aspects of the self.
Narcissism POV: Hers vs. His (with Diana Farca)
Professor Sam Vaknin, an expert on narcissism, discusses his personal experience with narcissistic personality disorder, having been diagnosed twice due to significant life events. He delves into his journey of understanding narcissism, starting from a lack of literature on the subject to eventually writing his own book, “Malignant Self-Love: Narcissism Revisited.” Vaknin also touches on the evolution of the field of narcissism, including his development of various typologies and the establishment of the first website on narcissism. His wife, Lydia, contributes to the conversation by sharing her perspective on the impact of Vaknin’s work and their collaborative efforts in educating people about narcissism and publishing the book. Vaknin emphasizes the importance of his extensive database on narcissistic personality disorder, which informs his work. He also discusses the concept of trauma bonding and the dynamics of narcissistic relationships, including the influence of cultural and familial backgrounds on individuals’ susceptibility to narcissism.
Narcissist’s Common Phrases Decoded: Narcissism to English Dictionary (Compilation+New Videos)
Sam Vaknin discusses the work of Louis Althusser, a significant intellectual figure who contributed to cultural debates in the 1960s and 1970s. Althusser’s theory posits that society consists of practices (economic, political, ideological) and that ideology is a central part of the superstructure of society. Ideology, according to Althusser, transforms individuals into subjects by interpellating them through practices and productions, using state apparatuses like religion, education, and media. Vaknin critiques Althusser’s view of ideology as too deterministic and questions the ultimate goals of ideologies and their effectiveness in a pluralistic society with competing ideologies. He suggests that each individual has their own “third text,” or psyche, which interacts with manifest texts to produce latent texts, reflecting personal cultural and social values. Vaknin connects Althusser’s ideas to contemporary intellectual trends and the concept of narcissism.
Do WE Have Inner World? Are WE Mere Machines? (Behaviorism)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the debate in psychology about whether humans can be reduced to their physical and biochemical components. He argues that human essence cannot be captured by specifying anatomy and physiology alone. He reviews the Chicago School of psychology, behaviorism, and its various schools, and emphasizes the limitations of studying human behavior and consciousness. He concludes that while humans are machines, their self-reporting makes them unique, but also unreliable. He asserts that psychology can never be a science.
Should YOU Trust the Narcissist? Is He Authentic or Fake? (COMPILATION)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the issue of trusting narcissists. He explains that while sometimes it may seem possible to trust a narcissist, it is ultimately advised to never trust them due to their grandiosity, cognitive distortions, and inability to distinguish between fantasy and reality. The narcissist’s deceptive nature is rooted in their belief that they are human, despite lacking a core identity. The professor also delves into the concepts of mimicry in nature, the challenges of authenticity in a world filled with fear and uncertainty, and the mind control techniques of entraining and projective identification used by narcissists and psychopaths.
Mirrored Narcissist Gazes At YOU How Do Other People Exist
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the impact of a mother’s gaze on a child’s development, emphasizing its role in creating the child’s unconscious and shaping their self. He also addresses the connection between maternal gaze and narcissism, as well as the implications for relationships. Additionally, he corrects a previous claim about psychopaths and lie detector tests and discusses the concept of empathy and its link to mirror gazing. He also plans to delve deeper into the topic of behaviorism and its connection to mentalizing in his future work.
Narcissism= Toxic Masculinity, Capitalism?
Sam Vaknin discusses the collapse of traditional gender roles and the rise of toxic masculinity, which is now prevalent in both men and women. He connects toxic masculinity to Darwinian jungle capitalism, urbanization, consumerism, and spectacle, all of which emphasize escapism and the denial of reality. Vaknin argues that capitalism has transitioned from manufacturing and consumption to spectacle and addiction, making it a form of narcissism. He concludes that narcissism is the organizing principle of the modern world, extending to gender relations, capitalism, and the attention economy.
Repentant Narcissist, Therapist Must Accept Diagnosis ( 12 Steps Of Narcissists Anonymous)
Therapists are hesitant to label and stigmatize their patients, but the narcissist must accept their diagnosis for any chance of growth and healing. The 12 steps of Narcissist Anonymous are outlined as a way for narcissists to come to terms with their condition and limit the damage they cause to themselves and others. The steps involve admitting powerlessness over narcissism, making amends, and seeking to improve conscious contact with the false self. While narcissism cannot be cured, these steps offer a way to contain its effects.
How Narcissism Makes Sense to Narcissist (with Enkhbayar Jargalsaikhan and Lidija Rangelovska)
The transcript is a conversation between the interviewee and Professor Sam Vaknin and his partner Lydia Rangelovska. They discuss Vaknin’s book “Malignant Self-Love: Narcissism Revisited,” the concept of narcissism, its impact on individuals and society, and the global movement of narcissistic abuse awareness that originated from their work. They also touch upon the importance of language in understanding and coping with narcissism, the differences between healthy and pathological narcissism, and the role of education in addressing narcissistic behaviors. Additionally, they explore the personal dynamics of living with a narcissist and the potential for healing from narcissistic abuse.
How Narcissist Disables Your Alarm System ( Zombies, Zimbos, Contagion)
Victims of narcissistic abuse experience complex trauma, CPTSD, complex post-traumatic stress disorder. Narcissistic contagion leads to victims developing narcissistic traits and behaviors. The concept of “Zimbos” is introduced, referring to individuals who are behaviorally indistinguishable from humans but lack an inner experience. The lecture delves into philosophy of mind, discussing zombies, qualia, and the uncanny valley, and explores the impaired affect, cognition, and conation in narcissists. The tripartite model of attitudes is used to explain how narcissists are unable to develop appropriate attitudes towards attitude objects. The lecture concludes by warning about the contagious nature of narcissistic abuse and its long-term effects on victims.