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Masks of Sanity: Narcissist Mutations

Prof. Sam Vaknin・2 minutes read

Narcissism manifests in various forms, with classifications like cerebral and somatic narcissists focusing on different sources of admiration and validation, influencing their behaviors and interactions with others. Different scholars and researchers propose taxonomy systems to categorize narcissists, highlighting the complexity and nuances of this personality disorder.

Insights

  • Various scholars have proposed taxonomy systems to categorize narcissists, highlighting the complexity of classifying different types of narcissistic personalities.
  • Inverted narcissists, who resent classic narcissists but secretly team up with them, struggle with feelings of inadequacy and imposter syndrome, showcasing the intricate dynamics within narcissistic relationships.

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Recent questions

  • What are the different subtypes of narcissists?

    Various scholars have proposed taxonomy systems to categorize narcissists, including high-functioning/exhibitionist, fragile, grandiose/malignant, arrogant/overt, and shy/covert narcissists.

  • How do narcissists present themselves to the world?

    Narcissists struggle to project normality as they are already wearing the mask of the false self or the "wounded king" mask, unlike psychopaths who appear normal but are deeply disturbed.

  • What is the concept of hyper sanity?

    Hyper sanity, proposed by R.D. Laing, suggests that breaking through the constraints of sanity requires a form of madness, indicating that madness can lead to enlightenment.

  • How do inverted narcissists differ from classic narcissists?

    Inverted narcissists are codependents who exclusively depend on narcissists, seeking relationships with them despite past abuse, displaying self-centered, sensitive, and defensive traits.

  • What are the diagnostic criteria for compensatory narcissistic personality?

    Compensatory narcissists compensate for feelings of inferiority with grandiosity and perfectionism, seeking constant admiration, displaying self-inflation, idealization, and a history of searching for an idealized partner.

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Summary

00:00

Understanding Narcissism: Taxonomy and Mask of Sanity

  • Sam Buckman, a psychology professor and author of "Malignant Self-Love: Narcissism Revisited," discusses the classification systems of narcissists.
  • Various scholars, including Theodor Millon, Western, Sundberg, and Nina, have proposed taxonomy systems to categorize narcissists.
  • The concept of the "mask of sanity" was introduced by Hervey Cleckley in his book "The Mask of Sanity," published in 1942, highlighting how psychopaths appear normal but are actually deeply disturbed.
  • Cleckley's work focused on psychopaths in mental asylums, labeling them as "collective" or "mischievous" psychopaths.
  • The idea of the persona, a social mask we present to the world, was discussed by Jung and Kaufman, suggesting that sanity is an act we put on in social interactions.
  • The concept of hyper sanity, proposed by Scottish psychiatrist R.D. Laing, suggests that breaking through the constraints of sanity requires a form of madness.
  • Jung's own experience with psychosis led him to insights about hyper sanity, indicating that madness can lead to enlightenment.
  • The uncanny valley phenomenon describes how healthy individuals may sense something off about narcissists from the first encounter due to an ambient discomfort the narcissist emits.
  • Narcissists, unlike psychopaths, struggle to project normality as they are already wearing the mask of the false self or the "wounded king" mask.
  • To gain a deep understanding of narcissism and mental illness, the author recommends reading literary works like Dostoyevsky's "The Sorrows of Young Werther" and R.D. Laing's "The Divided Self" for insights beyond traditional psychology.

19:33

Types of Narcissists: Understanding the Subtypes

  • There is a book called "In Sheep's Clothing" disputing the existence of compensatory narcissists, claiming narcissists feel superior and elitist.
  • Compensatory narcissists seek to counteract feelings of inferiority and lack of self-esteem by creating illusions of superiority.
  • Professor Drew Weston proposed a topology based on research, identifying three subtypes of narcissists: high-functioning/exhibitionist, fragile, and grandiose/malignant.
  • Cooper and Akhtar introduced a diagnosis of covert narcissists, distinguishing between arrogant/overt and shy/covert narcissists.
  • Arrogant narcissists have shallow relationships, a need for admiration, and lack of empathy, while covert narcissists struggle with trust, envy, and delinquent tendencies.
  • Arrogant narcissists are socially charming and ambitious, while covert narcissists exhibit aimlessness, shallow interests, and chronic boredom.
  • Arrogant narcissists display grandiosity and a love for language, while covert narcissists have limited knowledge, forgetfulness, and a tendency to change reality to protect self-esteem.
  • Inverted narcissists are codependents who exclusively depend on narcissists, seeking relationships with narcissists despite past abuse and feeling empty in other relationships.
  • Inverted narcissists are covert and exhibit self-centered, sensitive, and defensive traits, struggling with a grandiosity gap and cognitive dissonance.
  • Inverted narcissists resent classic narcissists, team up with them secretly, and suppress their true nature due to feelings of inadequacy and imposter syndrome.

37:52

"Narcissistic Personality Types: Traits and Behaviors"

  • Inverted narcissism may result from disrupted narcissistic development, leading to dependence on another's false self for self-worth regulation.
  • Two topologies of narcissistic personality disorder are cerebral and somatic, with cerebral narcissists deriving supply from intellect and somatic from physical attributes.
  • Somatic narcissists focus on physique and physical prowess, often seeking admiration through their bodies.
  • Majority of self-styled empaths online are covert narcissists, with the manosphere primarily comprised of somatic narcissists.
  • Compensatory narcissists compensate for feelings of inferiority with grandiosity and perfectionism, seeking constant admiration.
  • Diagnostic criteria for compensatory narcissistic personality include self-inflation, idealization, and a history of searching for an idealized partner.
  • Narcissistic personality type reacts to criticism with rage or shame, lacks empathy, and seeks constant admiration.
  • Inverted narcissists possess a rigid sense of lack of self-worth, demand anonymity, and lack empathy, seeking self-sacrifice in relationships.
  • Inverted narcissists envy others but cannot conceive of being envied, display extreme shyness, and engage in obsessive-compulsive behaviors.
  • Cerebral narcissists flaunt intellect and academic achievements, while somatic narcissists derive supply from physical attributes and sexual conquests.

56:29

"Narcissists: Masters of Seduction and Self-Admiration"

  • Narcissists perfect techniques to court regard and view sexual exploits as an art form, seeking approval and admiration from others.
  • Two types of narcissists exist: cerebral and somatic, with the somatic narcissist focusing on physical conquests and appearances, often exhibiting psychopathic tendencies.
  • Somatic narcissists derive supply not just from sex but from the process of securing it, including the chase, conquest, and subjugation of targets.
  • Cerebral narcissists prioritize intellect over physical appearance, using knowledge to gain admiration while avoiding real intimacy and preferring pornography.
  • Both types of narcissists are auto-erotic, preferring self-love over real sexual interactions, with the somatic narcissist focusing on physical pyrotechnics and acrobatics.
  • Narcissism is a complex and varied phenomenon, with both types of narcissists potentially present in an individual, influenced by major narcissistic injuries or life crises.
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