Malignant Narcissism

 

 

It’s apparent that man has to fulfill his biological needs for survival. Psychologically, the infant’s initial reality has to do with its body, the physical sensations of warmth, thirst, the need for sleep and bodily contact. This psychological state has been referred to as primary narcissism in which all the psychic energy of the mind is directed inward. Over time, psychic energy becomes directed outward toward an object or objects within his life space. This psychological state has been referred to as secondary narcissism. Subsequently, the psychic energy of secondary narcissism is transferred and directed towards groups. It’s imperative that group assistance is necessary for survival. This disquisition focuses on individual and social narcissism.

First, let’s distinguish between benign and malignant narcissism. The productivity and achievement of Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Michelangelo, Epicurus, da Vinci, Kepler, Spinoza, Chagall, Picasso, Bacon, Locke, Newton, Frost ,Einstein, Marx, Mozart, Bach, Rousseau, Shakespeare, Goethe, Mendelsohn, Gutenberg, Freud, Lewin, Skinner, Franklin, Adams, Jefferson , Lincoln, Stanton, Anthony, Gompers, Roosevelt, Faulkner, Hemingway, Whitney, King Jr., Salk, Chomsky, Steph Curry’s winning this year’s NBA scoring title etc. are  a few examples of benign narcissism. This essay, however focuses on malignant narcissism which is not related to accomplishment, works of art, literature, music, productive intellectual achievement or a creation.

Survival is an important aspect of narcissism since it requires psychic energy to stay alive. Yet, exerting, directing and focusing energy primarily related to self can make man ineffective in dealing with others as in asocial behavior.

The malignant narcissist thinks that everything about himself is extraordinary. His hair, his mind, his intelligence, his personality, etc., for him, are exceptional; and superior. It’s not about accomplishment or production. Further, there’s no limit to his possessiveness and/or lust; he can do what he wants, when he wants it. His words are wonderful, special and exhibit exceptional intellectual power according to him. The more he perceives himself to be God like, the more he exploits and perceives himself to be above others. Then, he fears that the enemy is everywhere and against him.  He reacts by wanting more power, being more ruthless, in his exploitation and control of his subordinates. He demands loyalty; his precepts becomes the “guide”; everyone has to agree that he’s the greatest; the most powerful and the wisest of leaders.

When others are critical, it’s a threat, to his self-esteem. The reaction results in frustration and anger. Threats are perceived as hostile attacks. He then rationalizes that his violent outbursts and/ or responses are justified. When self-inflation is threatened by a critic, his primary response is to destroy and/or humiliate the critic or the persons.

When Trump lost to Biden that was a narcissistic injury. He angrily responded that the election was stolen and put in motion 62 frivolous lawsuits attempting to right his perceived wrong. In his mind, he was right to do what he did. Again, he was behind the January 6 riot, at the capital, in an attempt to overturn the election results and scapegoated Pence in the process. He was righteous and had to ward off the psychological threat by transforming reality, making it conform to his self-image. Destroying democracy was justified and is an illustration of malignant narcissism.

The elections, impeachments, lawsuits against voting, leads to the danger and power of group narcissism. Joining and identifying with a group allows one to be part of the protection which assists in one’s survival. With feelings of social, economic and political inadequacies, one identifies, follows and irrationally submits, loves and is drawn to the power of the leader. This “magically “occurs with identification and illustrates how the mind works in an attempt to reduce the anxiety, insecurity or dangers.

One transfers narcissistic attachment to a group which is thought to be good, beautiful, and wise, the best etc. in other words, cognitive thought, rational judgment and moral capacity becomes distorted. Joining the group leads to a distortion, lack of capacity to think, to judge and to evaluate. It’s subjective, biased and becomes one like “a band of brothers in arms.” My group is good, decent, stronger, and clean while the other group or groups are bad, inferior, weaker, stupid, dishonest, dangerous, immoral etc. Note the importance of rivalry between groups. With group affiliation and identification, one becomes” better “equipped for survival in the dangerous world.

Think about the Olympic rivalry and the narcissistic quest for superiority against the other nations. Our country’s athletes are pitted against the athletes of the world. The gold medal becomes the ultimate prize.  Then, our country counts and compares our number of prizes with our competitor’s number of medals. Does this make us the best, the most superior? Therefore, capitalism is superior?  What does capitalism have to do with athletic performance? In other words, rationalizations follow which are necessary for satisfying the ideology of self-superiority which is a divisive group narcissism requirement. There is no finitude.

A few examples of group narcissism include but not limited to: 1. US versus China, Russia, and Iran 2. Capitalism versus Socialism 3. Democrats versus Republicans 4. Trump versus Biden 5. Whites versus Blacks 6. Phoenix Suns versus Milwaukee Bucks.

If an individual with malignant narcissism, has a narcissistic injury, the reaction is vengeance and rage. Don’t forget the Hatfields and McCoy’s; The North Versus South; Protestants versus Catholics; the Axis powers versus the Allied powers are just a few examples of vengeance, reaction and destruction following narcissistic injuries. Rivalries, as in college and professional sports are good examples of fan craziness. Even though an opposing important player becomes injured, the opposing fans clap and yet are happy as the other team lost its star player.

In order for group narcissism to be significant, it requires a powerful leader who’s convinced of his greatness without any doubt. This leader can justify any of his actions even if they are amoral, above the law, anti-democratic etc. The followers submit, become obedient, magnify his power and even take on the amoral qualities of their leader without acute guilt or wrong doing. They deny and rationalize the leader’s reality and his subjectiveness and his precepts become theirs. Of course, even though their hate and racist attitudes were there all along, they would not, by themselves, attack an officer etc. With a leader of malignant narcissism, the group’s malignant narcissism fits as well. Trump and his Republican followers, are a significant threat to the rest of us because of their hate , quest for power, control, and exploitation .Their policies  regarding anti-vaccine stance, January 6 capital attack, voter suppression legislation, anti-infrastructure stance, and being against legislation that benefits everyone but the corporations and top 1% are a few illustrations.

PS

Sibling rivalry, watch the lackey’s fawn.

Reference

Freud, Sigmund. Civilization and It’s Discontents. W, W, Norton & Company Inc.