Psychodynamic Model - Narcissism

Prerequisite

Before studying this model, please first read the psychodynamic model of the healthy personality. This is necessary to understand the model of the narcissistic personality.

The Narcissistic Structure at a Glance

In the narcissistic personality, the central problem lies in Pillar III of the SUPEREGO - the ideal self and grandiose fantasies. This pillar is pathologically enlarged and unrealistically developed.

The SUPEREGO Structure in Narcissism

The Three Pillars

Pillar I: Conscience

In the narcissist, often underdeveloped or selectively applied:

• The conscience only engages where it serves the self-image
• Moral standards apply to others, not to oneself

Pillar II: Ego Ideal

The role models and ideal objects are idealized:

• Only “great,” powerful role models are internalized
• These are later devalued when they do not meet expectations

Pillar III: Ideal Self (excessive)

The central problem:

• Unrealistically large ideal self
• Exaggerated grandiose fantasies
• Archaic grandiose self not adequately integrated

The Comparison VI in Narcissism

Within the SUPEREGO, a constant comparison (VI) takes place between the ideal self (Pillar III) and ego ideal / ideal objects (Pillar II).

The Problem in Narcissism

In the narcissist, this comparison is disrupted:

• The ideal self is pathologically enlarged
• The ego discrepancy is artificially kept small
• The Self appears inflated - an inflated self-concept

The EGO Structure in Narcissism

Typical Defense Mechanisms

Compensation

Concealing weaknesses by overemphasizing strengths - the narcissist’s favorite defense

Isolation

Separating emotional reactions - the narcissist does not truly empathize

Identification

Increasing self-worth through identification with great persons or institutions

Introjection

Incorporating external values that support the grandiose self

The Narcissist’s EGO

In contrast to the person with borderline, the narcissist has a coherent EGO - but it is:

• Oriented toward maintaining the grandiose self
• Constantly occupied with warding off threats to the self-image
• Dependent on external validation (mirroring)

The Self in Narcissism

1. Self-image - Massively overvalued, grandiose self-perception
2. Self-awareness - Outwardly strong, inwardly fragile
3. Self-esteem - Dependent on external admiration
4. Social self - Presentation of a perfect facade

Ego Discrepancy in Narcissism

Appearances Are Deceiving

The smaller the ego discrepancy, but the more pathological (overvalued, unrealistic) the ideal self is:

• The more disturbed introspection and self-knowledge (SB, SE) become
• The more inflated the self-esteem becomes
• The more narcissistic the person presents

The small ego discrepancy in the narcissist is not healthy self-acceptance, but a sign that:

• The ideal self is unrealistically large
• Self-perception is distorted
• Criticism and feedback must be warded off

The Difference from the Dependent Personality

A common question: Isn’t the narcissist also dependent on others?

Narcissist

• Needs others for mirroring
• Others serve self-validation
• No genuine emotional bond
• Can easily replace others

Dependent Personality

• Needs others for emotional stability
• Genuine bond and dependency
• Deep fear of abandonment
• Cannot let go

Important Distinction

The narcissist is indeed dependent on others in terms of mirroring, but a dependent personality cannot be a narcissist. The difference lies in the SUPEREGO, in the Self, in the relationship to other people, in the defense mechanisms, in attitudes and behaviors, in the capacity to love, and ultimately in the ID and the control over it.

The Legend to the Model

EGO Structure

Symbol	Meaning
A	Defense mechanisms of the EGO
B1	Forces from Pillars I and II of the SUPEREGO on the EGO
B2	Forces from Pillar III of the SUPEREGO on the EGO
C	Defense energies that the EGO draws upon for the defense mechanisms
A+C	Defensive action
D	Rigid connection with inversive joint (G) to the Self
E1, E2	ID impulses, drive energies
G	Inversive joint (inversive = reversal)

Self Components

Symbol	Meaning
SB	Self-observation, introspection - disrupted
S	Comparison of social self with Self
SE	Self-knowledge - limited
SF	External image transition into the social self
SS	Influence of social self on self-esteem - excessive
IS	Ego discrepancy - artificially kept small
VI	Comparison - does not function correctly

SUPEREGO Structure

Symbol	Meaning
VI	Comparison ego ideal / ideal self versus ego ideal / ideal objects
U	Primal imprints, primal influences through the parental imago
B1	Total force from Pillars I and II on the EGO - relatively weak
B2	Total force from Pillar III on the EGO - excessively strong

The Narcissistic Injury

When the grandiose self-image is threatened:

1. Criticism or failure meets the fragile Self
2. Narcissistic rage arises as a defensive reaction
3. Devaluation of the critic protects the self-image
4. Or: Depression when the defense fails

No Genuine Self-Reflection

The narcissist cannot engage in genuine self-reflection because:

• Introspection (SB) is disrupted
• Self-knowledge (SE) is limited
• Any criticism is experienced as an attack on the Self
• The defense mechanisms immediately engage

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Further Reading

• Psychodynamic Model - Healthy - The foundation
• Psychodynamic Model - Dependent Personality - The “counterpart”
• What is Narcissism? - Overview of the disorder