"How to Spot a Narcissist"--Washington Post

[Dr. Richard Grossman]

Hi everybody:

In case you missed it:

"How to Spot a Narcissist"
By Rachel Feltman  8/5/2014
The Washington Post

http://www.times-news.com/community-news-network/x197382950/How-to-spot-a-narcissist?zc_p=0

A couple excerpts--based on studies by Brad Bushman, a professor of communication and psychology at Ohio State University:

"To find a narcissist, just ask them all to stand up. According to a new study (based on 11 separate experiments), the 40-question diagnostic test for narcissism can often be skipped in favor of a single, blunt question.

Are you a narcissist?

Together, the 11 experiments showed that individuals who scored high on the old evaluation were very likely to respond in the affirmative."

and

""I've been studying aggression for about 30 years, and I've seen that the most harmful belief that a person can have is that they're superior to others," Bushman said. "Men are better than women, my race is better than your race, my religion is superior to your religion. When people believe they're better than other people, they act accordingly."

He hopes that more research can help us understand where narcissism comes from, and perhaps help us to stem the tide. "If people could believe that everyone on the planet is part of the same human family, and deserves the same respect, so many problems would be solved," he said."


If only it were this easy!  (Perhaps he's never had someone with NPD in his life...).  Where it comes from?  IMO, the biggest factor (50%--like most other personality variables and why it's so difficult to alter)--genetics.

Richard

[Hopalong]

Pretty amazing shortcut, Doc G!
Dunno that it's anything to laugh about but jeez...I did.

thanks!

Hops

[Gaining Strength]

Genetics? Really.  ( I know you've written it before but I just ignored it you know, I'm hoping I didn't catch it.)

The nature v nurture dichotomy raises its head in the Sociopath Next Door.  ( I chose to read past it there as well.). I have so many thoughts racing around the tracks in my mind but they are too jumbled to expose coherently. 

Up to this point, unconsciously, I've operated in a framework that suggests if we just expose the narcissism (or any other personality injustice) then the world will rally to descend and discipline ( nay, better yet) punish the miscreant N.  Let's call it by name and get Justice all ready. 

But they already know they are Ns? And society as a whole seems to give them their power!  Hmm. Time to figure out how to navigate this world without falling victim or hoping to change them/ the world of Nism.

[Gaining Strength]

"If people could believe that everyone on the planet is part of the same human family, and deserves the same respect, so many problems would be solved," he said."

Insight? Perspective? According to this study a narcissist has enough insight to recognize their self-centeredness.  But their insight is perhaps limited to themselves and has little breadth to view their effect on others or others effect of themselves.  If we are part of a larger world then we want to lift ourselves as  all around are lifted, If all rests on me then my pie is limited and I'm building my own empire to ensure my safety. What happens to "them" has little detriment or value for me.

[Dr. Richard Grossman]

You're welcome, Hops!  Glad you laughed!

And speaking of laughing, G.S.,  I laughed out loud when you wrote "I'm hoping I didn't catch it."  I can guarantee from reading your posts, G.S., you didn't "catch it"!

Richard

[Gaining Strength]

A "thumbs up" thanks for that one!