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Why Narcissist APPEARS So STUPID (Borderlines and Psychopaths, too!)

Prof. Sam Vaknin・19 minutes read

The speaker is pleased with the awareness of narcissistic abuse and its growth since the 90s, discussing the interchangeability of gender pronouns, intelligence levels in those with cluster B disorders, and the perceived stupidity of narcissists. They highlight the vulnerability of individuals with these disorders to manipulation and victimization due to immature behavior, identity disturbances, and an external locus of control.

Insights

  • The speaker acknowledges their significant role in popularizing awareness of narcissistic abuse in the 90s, leading to the growth of experts in the field and the creation of a cottage industry around the topic.
  • They delve into the complexities of intelligence and practical abilities in individuals with borderline personality disorder and narcissistic personality disorder, highlighting the debate on the relevance of IQ in measuring life skills and wisdom, emphasizing the disconnect between intellectual capacity and practical competencies.

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Recent questions

  • What is narcissistic abuse?

    Narcissistic abuse involves manipulation and exploitation by narcissists.

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Summary

00:00

Impact of Narcissistic Abuse Awareness and Stupidity

  • The speaker is pleased with the global awareness of narcissistic abuse, a topic they popularized in the 90s.
  • They note the proliferation of experts on narcissistic abuse, attributing the growth to their initial work in the field.
  • The speaker acknowledges their role in creating a cottage industry around narcissistic abuse, supporting many globally.
  • Despite the gratification of their impact, the speaker shifts the focus to discuss the apparent stupidity of narcissists.
  • They highlight the interchangeability of gender pronouns when discussing narcissistic behavior.
  • The speaker introduces the topic of intelligence in individuals with borderline personality disorder and narcissistic personality disorder.
  • There is a debate on the intelligence levels of individuals with these disorders, with varying research findings.
  • The speaker questions the relevance of IQ in measuring life skills and wisdom, emphasizing the disconnect between intelligence and practical abilities.
  • They distinguish between pseudo-stupidity and stupidity, particularly in covert narcissists and other cluster B personalities.
  • The speaker delves into the reasons behind the perceived stupidity of narcissists, borderlines, and psychopaths, citing factors like grandiosity, lack of empathy, and repetition compulsion.

22:08

Cluster B Personalities: Vulnerable to Manipulation and Identity Issues

  • People with cluster B personality disorders, such as narcissists, borderlines, and psychopaths, exhibit immature behavior akin to children, making them susceptible to manipulation and victimization by con artists due to their naivety and gullibility.
  • These individuals often leverage an appearance of infantile helplessness as a defense mechanism, pretending to be less dangerous, evil, or manipulative than they truly are to ward off potential threats and predators.
  • Cluster B personalities suffer from identity disturbances, fluctuating between various identities in response to environmental pressures, lacking a stable core identity, and depending on external regulation for self-worth or emotional stability.
  • Individuals with cluster B disorders exhibit suggestibility, blaming external factors for their misjudgments and failures, displaying behaviors like indecisiveness and avoidance due to an external locus of control, which may be erroneously perceived as stupidity by others.
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