Article No. 24
19/October/2019
Narcissism
means selfishness, involving a sense of entitlement, a lack of empathy, and a
need for admiration, as characterizing a personality type. Now, people becoming
more selfish than ever before in the known history of the world. The recent
revelation of serial murders done by a young woman in Kerala, maybe the latest
example of mishaps from a Narcissist person. In Clinical Psychology, A
personality disorder is an enduring pattern of inner experience and behaviour
that deviates markedly from the expectations of the individual’s culture, is
pervasive and inflexible, has an onset in adolescence or early adulthood, is
stable over time, and leads to distress or impairment.
Joe Navarro,
a former FBI special agent wrote a book titled ‘Dangerous Personalities’. In
this book, he explains one kind of dangerous personality is Narcissistic
Personality. Dangerous Personality, he explains that it cannot be recognisable
in a normal routine check. They are fine people in the eyes of a layman. DSM is
the widely use classification for mental disorders. DSM-5 latest edition,
diagnostic criteria of Narcissistic Personality Disorder are, A pervasive
pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behaviour), need for admiration, and lack
of empathy, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts,
as indicated by five (or more) of the following:
1. Has a
grandiose sense of self-importance (e.g., exaggerates achievements and talents,
expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements).
2. Is
preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or
ideal love.
3. Believes
that he or she is “special” and unique and can only be understood by, or should
associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions).
4. Requires
excessive admiration.
5. Has a
sense of entitlement (i.e., unreasonable expectations of especially favourable
treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations).
6. Is
interpersonally exploitative (i.e., takes advantage of others to achieve his or
her own ends).
7. Lacks
empathy: is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of
others.
8. Is often
envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her.
9. Shows
arrogant, haughty behaviours or attitudes.
Causes of
Narcissistic Personality Disorder
The exact
cause of narcissistic personality disorder is unknown, researchers have
identified some factors that may contribute to the disorder. Childhood
experiences such as parental overindulgence, excessive praise, unreliable
parenting, and a lack of realistic responses are thought to contribute to
narcissistic personality disorder. The child grows out of primary narcissism
through opportunities to be mirrored by (i.e., gain approval from) his or her
parents and to idealise them, acquiring a more realistic sense of self and a
set of personal ideals and values through these two processes.
On the other
hand, if the parents fail to provide appropriate opportunities for idealisation
and mirroring, the child remains “stuck” at a developmental stage in which his
or her sense of self remains grandiose and unrealistic while at the same time
he or she remains dependent on approval from others for self-esteem. In
contrast, Kernberg (1985) views narcissistic personality disorder as rooted in
the child’s defence against a cold and unempathetic parent, usually the mother.
According to
sociologist Lasch (1978), a narcissistic personality disorder is increasing in
prevalence, primarily as a consequence of large scale social changes, including
a greater emphasis on short-term hedonism, individualism, competitiveness, and
success. He further stated that the “me-generation” has produced more than its
share of individuals with a narcissistic personality disorder. Indeed reports
confirm that narcissistic personality disorder is increasing in prevalence
(Cooper & Ronningstam, 1992).
Some other
theorists subscribe a biopsychosocial model of causation that is, the causes
which are biological and genetic in nature, the social factors (such as how a
person interacts in their early development with their family and friends and
other children), and psychological factors (the individual’s personality and
temperament, shaped by their environment and learned coping skills to deal with
stress).
Sources of
Evil
All sources
and kinds of evil acts can be for; 1. Pleasure, 2. Money, 3. Power and 4.
Safety. These four are the reasons for all evil acts in the world. Also, there
is a right way to acquire all these, but the wrong ways will lead you to evil.
Every Evil
Act starts at for a onetime, then repeats and eventually, it becomes a habitual
one and part of life. After this stage by stage process, people have no
hesitation to do Evil Acts. A society having some evil acts; there is no
problem or nothing to worry about it. But if society considers an evil act as a
good act; there is a huge trouble in it and so dangerous too.
Evil acts
can be broadly classified into two: 1. Internally Stimulated and 2. Externally
Stimulated. People’s behaviour comes from either covert or overt. Here, all
Internally Stimulated evil acts can be regulated by legislation with
punishment, but all Externally Stimulated evil acts cannot be regulated by mere
legislation with punishment. Stimulus leads to responses is the fundamental procedure,
which develops behaviour or acts from a person. All behaviours are based on
Stimulus-Response principle. A stimulus may be internally driven (covert) or
externally driven (overt). Narcissistic Personality Disorder is majorly
internally driven (covert).
Human
life is a social event
No one in
this world can lead a separate and isolate life on their own. So Narcissism is
the comparison of others today with respect to our today. It leads to unhealthy
competition among people and becoming a habit to dangerous personality.
Life has a
definite meaning and purpose. The actualization of life can be experienced and
achieved only by a meaningful and purposeful life. It is absolutely impossible
without God in our life. Purpose of life can simply state that “Being more good
to reach more order”. People born with chaos and vulnerabilities, but due to
the socialization of religious study (Doctrine & Discipline) make them be
more good. Meaning of life can simply state that "It's transcending in
nature by Good, Right, Happy, Satisfied and Stable experiences as a human
being". When people try to become more successful than good, it enhances
chaos and eventually leads to a loss of purpose in life. Also when people see
the physical world in limited nature of experiences by feelings and emotions,
it further leads to a meaningless life. So God, Universe, Earth, Men &
Women etc. have a cause, meaning and purpose.
By,
Nithin A F
Doing Post Graduation in Psychology
Thiruvanathapuram, Kerala.
Email : nithinaf@gmail.com
www.NithinAF.blogspot.com
19/October/2019
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