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.
Adolescent Narcissist: Personal Fable, Imaginary Audience
Healthy narcissism underlines personal development and growth well into one’s teenage years, and is beneficial for adolescents to mature and become adults. Adolescents go through a phase of separation individuation, where they develop object relations or relationships with objects. All adolescents develop a personal fable, have an imaginary audience, have narcissism, have depression, and have pessimism, but grow out of all these. However, if these reactions persist, they can become pathological and predispose the adolescent to develop paranoia later on in life.
Coming to Grips with Your Narcissist (with Coach Eleanor Schuyffel, Coaching Comeback)
The transcript is a conversation between Coach Eleanor, a therapist specializing in communication and relationships, and Professor Sam Vaknin, an expert on narcissism. They discuss various aspects of narcissism, including its development, the role of trauma, the grieving child within the narcissist, and the differences between narcissism and psychopathy. Vaknin explains the narcissistic cycle, the impact of narcissism on personal relationships, and the distinction between cerebral and somatic narcissists. He also touches on the cultural shift towards narcissistic and psychopathic traits being seen as positive adaptations.
8 Things You are Getting WRONG about Your Narcissist (EXCERPT)
Professor Sam Vaknin debunks eight myths about narcissism, including that narcissists do have emotions, empathy, and dread abandonment. He also explains that grandiosity is about being unique, not necessarily the best, and that some narcissists are pro-social. Vaknin also discusses the problem of misattribution error and how people often misattribute motivations to others. He provides examples of why people may stay in toxic relationships, persevere with old decisions, or opt for lifelong celibacy. Finally, he advises people to try to understand why they are being lied to and create a safe environment for people with cluster B personality disorders to tell the truth.
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.
How Borderlines, Narcissists Destroy Their Intimacy
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the dynamics of intimacy in relationships involving narcissists and borderlines. He explains how both parties fear intimacy for different reasons and engage in behaviors that undermine it. The discussion delves into the ways in which borderlines cope with abandonment and rejection, including avoidance and self-trashing. Additionally, Vaknin explores how both narcissists and borderlines push each other to abuse them, providing an excuse to break up and start over.
Is Sam Vaknin a Misogynist (Woman-hater)?
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the negative impact of casual sex and the Stold Revolution, where women are rejecting feminine aspects and defining themselves in masculine terms. He argues that this trend is leading to an androgynous unigender state and a decline in relationships between genders. Women are conforming to male stereotypes of sexually emancipated sluts, claiming empowerment, but this is belied by the male double standard. Casual sex has adverse impacts on mental and physical health, and women have a tendency to select inappropriate males for breeding. The missing skills required to maintain intimacy in relationships are the ability to compromise, set boundaries, be vulnerable, tolerate frustration, give space, trust, and cooperate.
Weak People Pleasers? Walk Away!
In this lecture, Professor Sam Vaknin discusses weak people and people pleasers, who he believes are the core problem of humanity. Weak people are suggestible, malleable, and mutable, and they engage in the most disgraceful and antisocial acts simply because they cannot say no. They are enablers in the worst sense of the word, and they provoke abuse and engage in self-harming behaviors. Vaknin advises that people should forgive these individuals, but they should also safeguard their lives and protect their sanity by removing them from their lives.
Root of All Evil: Idea of Progress
Professor Sam Vaknin argues that the idea of progress is the root of all evil, as it has led to dystopian outcomes. He analyzes postmodernity, environmentalism, the Renaissance, and Nazism, showing how they are all interconnected through the idea of progress. Vaknin claims that exclusionary ideas of progress have led to reactionary counter-modernity, such as communism, fascism, Nazism, and religious fundamentalism. He concludes that humanity’s future is at risk due to the belief in progress and the actions taken to achieve it.