Narcissism in the Maladaptive World
JEANNETTE VILLATORO
Abnormal psychology is a realm of psychological study that dares to define maladaptive behavior and discover the causal effects of less than normal attributes in terms of human conduct. Abnormal psychology envelops many inflictions from depression to serious psychological disorders. Among these psychological abnormalities are personality disorders in which prove to be cumbersome for people in regards to adapting well with their environment. Narcissism is one such personality disorder that can be very dilapidating to an individual. This author will attempt to delve into the definition of narcissism, explore some of its causes and effects and how it relates to society, and measure the possibility of success in terms of psychological treatment for this disorder.
Narcissism Defined
It is imperative for people to positively interact in a social setting. Human beings require social interaction and crave compatibility with others. These are significant aspects of human nature that narcissism defies. Those diagnosed with narcissism lack the desire to interact and expects only acknowledgment of their own presence. Moreover, they deliberately concentrate on the importance and impact of their existence rather relying on constructive interface with other people. Therefore, narcissism is a staid disorder in which a huge deficit in social contexts and a concentration on self prevents healthy and successful living.
The word narcissism comes from a character in a tale by Ovid in which a proud, handsome son of a god and nymph named Narcissus rejects the love of another who then puts a spell on him that entices him to fall in love with his own reflection in a pond. Narcissus continually admires his reflection, but perils and dies because it is inaccessible (Straker, D., 2009).
Narcissism falls into the dominion of personality disorders that involve “dramatic, emotional, or erratic behavior” (Sarason, I., Sarason, B., 2002, p. 301). A person diagnosed with narcissist personality will portray many self-serving traits. This ostentatious person is focused mainly on their self, has little or no regard for others, and will easily cause harm to others without any thought. This person thrives on attention and believes they have elevated self-importance (Sarason, I., Sarason, B., 2002). Common observation leads to a notion that those with narcissism have higher self-esteem, which in turn leads to aggression. “This theory is evidenced by nationalistic imperialism, master race ideologies, aristocratic dueling, playground bullies, and street gang rhetoric” (Bushman, B., Baumeister, R., 1998, p. 1).
Narcissism has been a fascinating issue in psychology since the history of time. Psychoanalytical upheaval of this disorder can indeed be traced back to earlier historical times, in which many psychologists and scientists worked tirelessly on narcissism. One of the most prominent psychologists that dared to elicit answers and define this disorder was Sigmund Freud. The attempt to grasp the disorder and its many complexities continue with psychology today.
According to current psychological consideration of this disorder, there are two types of narcissistic behavior that is categorized in psychological study. Primary narcissism is said to be the main type of narcissism in which develops in infanthood. Young babies must be self-focused in order to preserve and protect their life and gain attention from parents during the development of self (Straker, D., 2009) Secondary narcissism is evident in “older children and adults seek personal gratification over the achievement of social goals and conformance to social values” (Straker, D., 2009, p. 1).
With the extreme connotations of this disorder, and the adverse effects it has on individuals and society, narcissism infects many. However, even with its serious inference, it is also a commonality among most people. Human beings are born with a distinct of amount narcissism as a survival tool. Children have similar focus on their own well being as they grow and remain the center of attention in families. It is when an individual displays severe disregard for others and will deliberately impair the comfort of others in order to continue a self-serving motive that narcissim takes a form of dangerous proportions and can be identified as a personality dysfunction. The true challenge is to identify the line between normal self-functioning and the onset of narcissism as a personality disorder.
Narcissism is a dangerous affliction. Most personality disorders have the common factor of affecting the afflicted individual greatly. Ease of living and quality of life are highly troubled by personality disorders. A person’s way of handling problems and adversity are limited to a set way of thinking and behaving, which inhibits true success in life (Sarason, I., Sarason, B., 2002). Narcissism is unique, however, due to its blatant affect on other people. One with narcissism causes trauma to others, deliberately manipulates or hurts another person to gain individual satisfaction, and can greatly cause turmoil to loved ones and family members. Because of these distinct factors of this personality disorder, narcissism is a serious burden with little hope of reversal and a dramatic implication on the rest of society.
Cause and Effect
The causes of narcissism are difficult at best to uncover in a general standpoint. It is evident that this disorder accumulates often in early adulthood (Sarason, I., Sarason, B., 2002). Because each individual is different and life situations are fluctuated among each person, it is hard to discover any supposed caused of this disorder. Psychological differences are copious among each person as well. What psychology has proven coherently through study is that environmental and psychological influences are usually forces that work hand-in-hand. Therefore, trying to unearth specific attributes to a certain disorder can be trying at the least.
The psychobiology is thought to be a major cause of narcissism. How the brain functions in connection with behavior can lead to many narcissistic tendencies. A negative childhood or a childhood filled with excessive attention and indulgence hoisted upon the child are also said to have a major effect on this disorder. Abuse and neglect are also predisposed conditions that may lead to narcissism as well as many other disorders (Crown, S., Freeman, H., 1994).
The diagnosis of narcissism is quite easier to discern than causal instigations of the disorder. Symptoms of narcissism include lack of feeling for others, a willingness to take advantage of others, exaggerated belief in self-ability, a heightened sense of self-importance, focus on wealth and power, a demand for special attention without particular cause, and a stipulation of being admired by others (Sarason, I., Sarason, B., 2002). Though many human beings have some minuscule specimens of these particular symptoms that can be manifested in everyday life, it is particularly of concern when these symptoms are extreme and are displayed in unison that narcissism is a possibility. With the observation of narcissistic symptoms, there are ways for psychologists to determine the severity of the disorder and the many factors that play a role in the overall magnitude of narcissism within an individual.
Narcissism is a grim disorder yet the idiom is used commonly when describing someone with a seemingly inflated ego. Although varying degrees of narcissism is possible, with some phases proving less severe than others, it is important to diagnose the disorder officially. This can be done lucratively using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) in psychology. This provides the possibility for a psychologist or clinician to diagnose certain disorders using a multiaxial assessment system (Sarason, I., Sarason, B., 2002). The Axis diagnostic model is the best tool for capturing and categorizing narcissism, which is compartmentalized as an Axis II disorder. Within this diagnostic instrument, psychologists can determine certain characteristics and models of behavior that calculate a true disorder.
Within the Axis model, there are separate categories of diagnosis that help define a disorder, its properties, and any other physical or mental contributions to the said disorder. Axis I will detect clinical disorders. If a clinical health diagnosis is absent, V71.09 will be placed within the first Axis (Sarason, I., Sarason, B., 2002). Axis II is for mental retardation and personality disorders. Axis III will illustrate medical conditions, while Axis IV will represent psychosocial and environmental factors. Axis V will give a professional a synopsis and overall view of the complete disorder that a patient suffers from (Sarason, I., Sarason, B., 2002). If a patient came in to a psychologist’s office with several symptoms, the Axis would be used to connect all abnormalities and determine a diagnosis. For example, if the patient was found to have an episode of major depressive disorder and drug abuse, it would be concluded within Axis I. Narcissism would be in Axis II, and infection of the nose and throat with open wounds on abdomen would belong in Axis III. If the patient has been unemployed for several months, has a promiscuous lifestyle, and also has a poor relationship with siblings, this would fit in Axis IV. The final diagnosis would be exhibited in Axis V and would include a GAF score to establish the rigorous nature of the total disorder.
Self-aggrandizing behavior is common in society today and may even be accepted in some forms. We see narcissism in overly deserving financial choices that Americans make on an everyday basis, and we notice self-serving behaviors among individuals working to get ahead in life. Yet, it is a term used loosely to create an insult to someone with high self-esteem or general interest in his or her own well-being. Narcissism as a disorder runs much deeper than this, and the causes are among a great psychological struggle to uncover. The effects of narcissism, however, are much less difficult to penetrate and realize, as narcissism effects many and can lead to aggression and even violent behavior.
The connotation that low self-esteem causes aggressive behavior is well on its way to extinction. There is little proof to back that scenario, and furthermore, it is evident that those with aggressive propensities oftentimes display unusually amounts of high self-esteem or regard for one’s own self (Bushman, B., Baumeister, R., 1998). Once a person with narcissistic behavior feels that their self-esteem or self-efficacy is threatened, that person has a good chance of lashing out on others. Furthermore, the act of gaining satisfaction from hurting or manipulating others tends to branch new and dangerous territory for society. Narcissism is unlike many disorders because of the ability to effect others. Many psychological disorders cause harm, but usually the person distressed with the disorder is the one who is internally disturbed and tortured by the affliction.
Another seemingly consequential effect of narcissism is that the person with this disorder has less chance of rehabilitation as the disorder progresses. Regard for one’s self grows to immense proportions, and the importance of maintaining the heightened ego becomes a necessity. The deliberate burden that is pushed on others to uphold a narcissistic personality is quite bothersome. If a narcissist loses his or her viewed abilities and entitlement, danger may ensue involving violent behavior. The worse fear of a narcissist is that they become less significant in the world. Therefore, the narcissism grows continually and becomes a reality that is not easily shaken, regardless of substantial treatment measures that are applied.
In addition to the harm this disorder causes within society and one’s self, this disorder also affects the afflicted person in many other ways. Adjusting to society is nearly impossible as the disorder grows. A person with narcissism cannot communicate or fit in with others. Working or gaining meaningful relationships are tasks that are beyond capability for a narcissist (Crown, S., Freeman, H., 1994). The patient will fall into a small world created only of their own wills and desires that are nearly impossible to control, creating mass distention of the disorder. In an accurate and compelling description of narcissism and the trials of this disorder, one source explains the intent of a narcissist and the effects of the disorder, “narcissism is characterized by feelings of superiority over other people, and so simple disregard for the rights and feelings of others could result in higher aggression, even in the absence of threat. It is also plausible that narcissists perceive social life as a series of struggles for dominance, and so they may attack others regardless of direct threat, simply as a means of establishing themselves in a superior position by conquering or intimidating other individuals” (Bushman, B., Baumeister, R., 1998, p. 3).
Treatment and Successful Dissuading
Treating narcissism disorder entails much complexity. One who is living with the distorted reality of narcissism may have grown to obtain it throughout childhood with finally gaining momentum in early adulthood. Someone with this disorder may be very comfortable with his or her ideal ways of thinking and behaving, making successful finality of treatment almost impossible. There is very little hope that treatment will cure this disorder, as narcissism involves a strong sense of being and a guarded way of thinking. Nonetheless, treatment is available within the psychological spectrum. In order to treat someone for narcissism, the particular candidacies must be unearthed that seemingly may have caused narcissism within this individual. A malignant narcissist may defy any change in behavior and will especially disagree with any prognosis made by anther human being. If the narcissist has had success in life with the way they have lived, it may be even more difficult to pry them away from their way of behaving. It is a narrow path to walk in treating narcissism, but there are many techniques in which promote rays of minimal hope in decreasing this steadily dangerous personality disorder.
Despite a grandiose sense of self, and a likely chance to resist treatment, some narcissists are not necessarily happy with their condition and internally seek help to change. In these cases, treatment is possible and worthy of attempt. Another reason for a narcissist to seek treatment is if they feel that their reality has been threatened by accomplishments by others, and their self-image has been somewhat damaged. The desire would be to have their self-importance validated and restored. The most common treatment that is implemented with narcissism is through psychotherapy either individually or in a group setting. A narcissist may experience other symptoms that affect the disorder in which antidepressants and medications may be prescribed.
Narcissism is almost regarded as a mystery in psychology. This self-serving disorder inhibits truly successful functioning in society as well as being a major detriment to others. It has been studies throughout history and has yet to find a sustainable causal relationship with environmental or biological factors. The DSM-IV assessment tool can help to diagnose this disorder, as the symptoms are so prevalent that they are difficult to ignore. Treatment of this disorder is difficult to accomplish, however, and most people afflicted with a narcissist personality disorder continue the behavior and grow into more hardened cases. It is also very disconcerting to know that narcissism is not a psychological anomaly in that many human beings display some narcissistic behavior starting as early as childhood, with society being an acceptor of such behaviors.
With the grim realities of narcissism stimulating psychological studies in today’s world, it seems unlikely that there will be successful treatments and determents from this disorder. While defining and diagnosing narcissism is a task that is quite obtainable, it is overwhelmingly palpable that treatment is a perspective of this disorder that is complex. With the social implications of narcissism as well as the harm it causes, it is a crucial challenge to continue the discovery of this disorder. Psychology has been a focus of interest throughout history with the attempt of uncovering the human psyche and curing illnesses of the mind. It is a fascinating field of study with many new and exciting discoveries made regularly. Therefore, it is comprehensible that some day narcissism will be easier to understand, eventually encouraging obliteration.
References
Bushman, B, & Baumeister, R (1998). Threatened egotism, narcissism, self-esteem, and
direct and displaced. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 75, 14-19. Crown, S., Freeman, H. (1994). The Book of Psychiatric Books. Lanham, MD: Jason
Aronson.
Sarason, I., Sarason, B. (2002) Abnormal Psychology: The problem of maladaptive
behavior (10th edition). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.
Straker , David (2009). Narcissism. Retrieved May 24, 2009, from ChangingMinds.org
Web site: http://changingminds.org/disciplines/psychoanalysis/concepts/narcissism.htm.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Qualitatitive Paradigm ©
JEANNETTE VILLATORO
At the heart of all research is the question: what data is appropriate? I personally lean to the side of qualitative data because I am a hands-on type of person that seems to look at the whole picture and try to connect clues in that way. I am not a numbers kind of gal, so the qualitative approach peaks my interest. Qualitative data is a great tool to use in research. A researcher must ascertain if qualitative data is appropriate for not only the subject matter, but also the experiment. Since numbers aren’t the star player in this kind of research, there must be verifiable aspects that are bright and obvious to the phenomenon at hand.
Qualitative research is unique in the field. It is a way for the experimenter to jump in and observe and study something in its entirety rather than narrowing it down to certain aspects of its credentials (Davis, Smith, 2009). Usually this approach is valued with the overall picture in a holistic view, and the researcher determines the results after jumping in full force in the natural setting (Davis, Smith, 2009). Details are built rather than destructed to prove the matters of the research.
So, it may be feasible to wonder how research is conducted in a respected and verifiable manner in a field that seems to favor scientific readiness and surety with calculations. Confirmability is one of the most fundamentally significant factors involved in data analysis, especially when it has to do with qualitative data. The recorder, or experimenter that reports the findings, is at the heart of this project and the confirmability of it (Davis, Smith, 2009). There must not be any cause for bias to seep into the realm of the study or the data that is recorded. Accuracy is a must with unbiased and confirmable findings. The best way to ensure this is to have other researchers work on a report to compare what was interpreted. Another method is for the researcher to “indicate the procedures they used” (Davis, Smith, 2009, p. 51) so that anyone observing the data can check the findings and how they were brought about. And finally, coding can be used to make certain that the findings and the process of reaching them are understood. This involves “labeling and categorizing the phenomena being studied” (Davis, Smith, 2009, p. 55) as well as using distinct coding techniques to discover gaps between certain areas and by telling the story of the findings.
Because the researcher is using qualitative date, he or she must be aware of the possible scrutiny that may come from the final result. There may not be data calculations or sums to prove what was sought and collected, therefore these measures of confirmability, making sure that bias is never involved in addition to coding the data must be used to keep the nature of qualitative research alive and well and deemed as reliable as quantitative research.
References
Davis, S. F., & Smith, R. A. (2009). The Psychologist as Detective. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
At the heart of all research is the question: what data is appropriate? I personally lean to the side of qualitative data because I am a hands-on type of person that seems to look at the whole picture and try to connect clues in that way. I am not a numbers kind of gal, so the qualitative approach peaks my interest. Qualitative data is a great tool to use in research. A researcher must ascertain if qualitative data is appropriate for not only the subject matter, but also the experiment. Since numbers aren’t the star player in this kind of research, there must be verifiable aspects that are bright and obvious to the phenomenon at hand.
Qualitative research is unique in the field. It is a way for the experimenter to jump in and observe and study something in its entirety rather than narrowing it down to certain aspects of its credentials (Davis, Smith, 2009). Usually this approach is valued with the overall picture in a holistic view, and the researcher determines the results after jumping in full force in the natural setting (Davis, Smith, 2009). Details are built rather than destructed to prove the matters of the research.
So, it may be feasible to wonder how research is conducted in a respected and verifiable manner in a field that seems to favor scientific readiness and surety with calculations. Confirmability is one of the most fundamentally significant factors involved in data analysis, especially when it has to do with qualitative data. The recorder, or experimenter that reports the findings, is at the heart of this project and the confirmability of it (Davis, Smith, 2009). There must not be any cause for bias to seep into the realm of the study or the data that is recorded. Accuracy is a must with unbiased and confirmable findings. The best way to ensure this is to have other researchers work on a report to compare what was interpreted. Another method is for the researcher to “indicate the procedures they used” (Davis, Smith, 2009, p. 51) so that anyone observing the data can check the findings and how they were brought about. And finally, coding can be used to make certain that the findings and the process of reaching them are understood. This involves “labeling and categorizing the phenomena being studied” (Davis, Smith, 2009, p. 55) as well as using distinct coding techniques to discover gaps between certain areas and by telling the story of the findings.
Because the researcher is using qualitative date, he or she must be aware of the possible scrutiny that may come from the final result. There may not be data calculations or sums to prove what was sought and collected, therefore these measures of confirmability, making sure that bias is never involved in addition to coding the data must be used to keep the nature of qualitative research alive and well and deemed as reliable as quantitative research.
References
Davis, S. F., & Smith, R. A. (2009). The Psychologist as Detective. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Quantitative Model ©
JEANNETTE VILLATORO
Quantitative data is quite different from qualitative in that it deals with recorded data of numerical value. The non-experimental methods that are used are plenty and represent the statistical data that can be gathered by using quantitative research.
Surveys, questionnaires, tests, and inventories are used in quantitative research. These are used to gather opinions on an issue that is being studied and proves to be a viable method rather the surveys or forms of questionnaires are analytical or descriptive (Davis, Smith, 2009). This is common for companies wanting to illicit responses to recent campaigns or for running congressmen to ask average citizens how and why they vote. Some problems that can occur using these methods are that people cannot be truthful or may be vague on such surveys, and also the questions can be misinterpreted. And other problem arises when surveys are mailed out and participants do not respond (Davis, Smith, 2009). This method can be useful but may be most successful when combined with another research method.
Descriptive methods are also a part of the non-experimental realm of research. This can include archival and previously recorded sources of data in which a researcher answers a question about the problem at hand by researching data that was recorded by other parties for other purposes (Davis, Smith, 2009). Archival sources are available online to the public or through printed journals or published articles and there can be interesting facts obtained to substantiate a current research project or dilemma (Davis, Smith, 2009). Someone utilizing this way of research may be looking for gender differences in economic status through the census data of a certain city. A researcher should be careful with this method as an only source because the way the data was collected, whether or not there was bias and how the findings occurred cannot be necessarily verified.
One last part of this non-experimental area of learning is ex post facto studies in which variables that happened during an experiment are studied after the experiment is completed (Davis, Smith, 2009). This has to do with independent variables that we either could not manipulate during an experiment or didn’t recognize. We learned how variables could creep in and ruin or compromise a seemingly airtight research experiment, but ex post facto studies help to examine those variables and any possible effects they may have rendered on the research and the collected data. A researcher might examine the type of workplace or the sex of the participants as possible variables in an ex post facto study (Davis, Smith, 2009). Careful approach must be taken when this is done because “drawing conclusions” (Davis, Smith, 2009, p. 69) can easily become a problem after analyzing a completed experiment.
References
Davis, S. F., & Smith, R. A. (2009). The Psychologist as Detective. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Quantitative data is quite different from qualitative in that it deals with recorded data of numerical value. The non-experimental methods that are used are plenty and represent the statistical data that can be gathered by using quantitative research.
Surveys, questionnaires, tests, and inventories are used in quantitative research. These are used to gather opinions on an issue that is being studied and proves to be a viable method rather the surveys or forms of questionnaires are analytical or descriptive (Davis, Smith, 2009). This is common for companies wanting to illicit responses to recent campaigns or for running congressmen to ask average citizens how and why they vote. Some problems that can occur using these methods are that people cannot be truthful or may be vague on such surveys, and also the questions can be misinterpreted. And other problem arises when surveys are mailed out and participants do not respond (Davis, Smith, 2009). This method can be useful but may be most successful when combined with another research method.
Descriptive methods are also a part of the non-experimental realm of research. This can include archival and previously recorded sources of data in which a researcher answers a question about the problem at hand by researching data that was recorded by other parties for other purposes (Davis, Smith, 2009). Archival sources are available online to the public or through printed journals or published articles and there can be interesting facts obtained to substantiate a current research project or dilemma (Davis, Smith, 2009). Someone utilizing this way of research may be looking for gender differences in economic status through the census data of a certain city. A researcher should be careful with this method as an only source because the way the data was collected, whether or not there was bias and how the findings occurred cannot be necessarily verified.
One last part of this non-experimental area of learning is ex post facto studies in which variables that happened during an experiment are studied after the experiment is completed (Davis, Smith, 2009). This has to do with independent variables that we either could not manipulate during an experiment or didn’t recognize. We learned how variables could creep in and ruin or compromise a seemingly airtight research experiment, but ex post facto studies help to examine those variables and any possible effects they may have rendered on the research and the collected data. A researcher might examine the type of workplace or the sex of the participants as possible variables in an ex post facto study (Davis, Smith, 2009). Careful approach must be taken when this is done because “drawing conclusions” (Davis, Smith, 2009, p. 69) can easily become a problem after analyzing a completed experiment.
References
Davis, S. F., & Smith, R. A. (2009). The Psychologist as Detective. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
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