Narcissism

 Narcissism
X.Y.
…. College
Month, Year 
Miller and Campbell (2008) try to conceptualize narcissism. Despite the long history of
interest about the topic, there is no universal consensus about the concept. Narcissism only
emerged as a mental disorder when DSM-III was published in 1980. According to the
Manual, narcissism is characterized by a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration
and lack of empathy.
Menon and Sharland (2011) report in their article, that narcissism is correlated with lower
levels of intimacy, increased willingness to exploit others and to some extent
Machiavellianism. They tend to have a highly positive self-concept. They try to bolster this
self-view by self-regulating behaviour, such as trying to gain attention or trying to be
entertaining and colourful. Research results suggest that narcissists have positive self-view
regarding status, intelligence or dominance. They have a desire for power and therefore they
seek leadership positions.
Delic et al. (2011) use diagnostic criteria from DSM-IV to present narcissism. DSM-IV
highlights grandiose sense of self-importance, along with the need of admiration from others,
arrogance, entitlement, lack of empathy, envy and the tendency to exploit others. These
characteristics form two clusters, an intrapersonal and interpersonal one. (It is important to
note that narcissism can manifest only in an interpersonal context, but it has intrapsychical
aspects as well.) Narcissists have an extraverted and non-agreeable attitude, they tend to be
more aggressive and have a strong desire for power and dominance, while they are less
communally oriented. They overestimate their positive influence in a group, like to impress
others, they do not care much for modesty and approval seeking, and instead of that, they 
prefer self-enhancement statements. They also confirm Machiavellianism; it is in accordance
with their exploitative and manipulative behaviour towards others. Lack of empathy is
considered as a diagnostic criterion for narcissism, but the cognitive aspect of empathy might
be there, the affective side is missing or they are not motivated to feel compassion toward
others.
According to Andreassen et al. (2012), the definition of narcissism has changed since the
classic conceptualization of Ellis, according to whom narcissism can be seen as a tendency for
the sexual emotions to be lost and almost entirely absorbed in self-admiration. Contemporary
definitions are based on certain core symptoms, e.g. inflated sense of self-importance,
entitlement, and preoccupation with fantasies of unlimited success, believing in their
uniqueness, a tendency toward interpersonal exploitation, requiring admiration, and lack of
empathy, envy and arrogance.
Hill and Lapsley (2012) originate the construct of narcissism from the essay of Freud in 1914.
They also suggest the lack of empiric research of the subject despite a long-standing interest
in the topic. Narcissism is considered a fundamental developmental experience of
adolescence.
Historically, Gerson (2011) demonstrates the myth of Samson in his essay, which is an
archetype of the destructive narcissism. He has unique power and is alienated because of the
use of his power. The tale of Samson is tragically depicting the quest for dominance and
omnipotence. 
Various authors and reports suggest the importance of narcissism in normal human
development. Andreassen et al. (2012) are of the opinion that a certain degree of narcissism is
healthy and a prerequisite for self-enhancement, self-confidence and assertion.
According to the self-psychology of Kohut, narcissistic illusions can sustain psychological
growth, which is particularly important meeting the challenges of adolescence. These illusions
can take two forms, can be grandiose, when the individual’s exhibitionism, ambition and
assertiveness are the main features or the individual can idealize figures and goals. These
figures represent role models. Although there is a debate over the existence of the various
types of narcissism, empirical evidence seems to corroborate it. Normal narcissism is
associated with subjective well-being and counterindicates the effects of sadness, depression
and anxiety. Psychology traditionally suggests that narcissism is part of a defensive,
compensatory stance. Hill and Lapsley (2012) suggest that narcissism is part of the
separation-individuation process in psychological development, therefore it must be
considered as different from the clinical conceptualization in adolescence. Adolescent
narcissism takes the form of omnipotence, uniqueness and indestructibility. The positive
connection between narcissism and well-being exist only in case of overt narcissism, but there
is also a covert form characterized by hypersensitivity, increased anxiety and timidity. Covert
narcissism still harbours visions of grandiosity as well. Overt form of narcissism is associated
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