Narcissism

NARCISSISM (narcism) (from the name of the mythological Narcissus, who according to legend, seeing his reflection in the water, fell in love with himself). In medicine, the term was introduced at the end of the 19th century to denote that form of sexual perversion in which a person relates to their own body as a sexual object, i.e., derives sexual satisfaction from their own body. A broader understanding of N. was received in psychoanalysis. In psychoanalytic theory of libido (see Psychoanalysis), N. is considered as part of the libido that is concentrated on the 'ego' (narcissistic libido) in contrast to that part of the libido (love) which is directed toward other objects (object-libido). Thus, the difference between object-libido and N. is only in the object toward which the libido is directed or concentrated. In light of the development of human sexuality, N. is considered as a normal stage of childhood sexuality (primary N.). According to supporters of psychoanalysis, this primary N. with age becomes concentrated on a certain part of the 'ego' ('ideal-ego') and serves as a source of the so-called self-love. Psychoanalysts believe that the certain feeling of hidden satisfaction with oneself inherent in everyone serves as a manifestation of N. in mature age. Individual forms of infantilism, especially in women, expressed in increased attention to oneself, certain interest in one's appearance, in combination with elements of exhibitionism, psychoanalysts tend to consider as manifestations of N. From the indicated point of view is also considered that clinical fact that N. often occurs in the form of perversion in homosexuals. As manifestations of N. are considered not only the indicated mental and sexual, but also psychopathological manifestations, mainly in schizophrenia. Psychoanalysts from this point of view try to explain a number of psychopathological phenomena included in the symptom-complex of schizophrenia (for example delusions of grandeur, hypochondriacal ideas). In recent times, Schilder considers that in the formation of the 'body schema' (Körperbild) narcissism also participates. In connection with the further development of psychoanalysis, the doctrine of N. has undergone some change. In connection with the doctrine of two basic instincts (erotic and destructive), narcissistic 'ego' instincts, which were opposed to various sexual instincts, were recognized as partially libidinous, thus the instinct of self-preservation, as an expression of the striving to preserve life had to be attributed to narcissistic as opposed to the destructive instinct. Freud in his work 'Beyond the Pleasure Principle' made an attempt through speculations to expand the understanding of N. in the sense of biological interpretation. According to this, N. is derived by Freud from 'particles of libido' with which somatic cells are connected, based on the understanding of the 'instinct of life' (eros). Although Freud himself states that he does not attach importance to the scientific validity of these considerations, however, in his further works ('The Ego and the Id') he continues to refer to them. From what has been stated, it is evident that the psychoanalytic theory of N. creates a gap between its biological and psychological understanding. The very concept of 'instinct', which at first is considered by Freud as a constructive concept, intermediate between somatic and psychological, later becomes a biological 'instinct of life'. In this new understanding of instinct, Freud approaches a number of vitalists who tend to consider under the sign of 'life force' all the specificity of the so-called organic life. And the old understanding of instinct by Freud is very vulnerable at least in that the understanding of the specificity of human development is lost. By this very fact, the theory of N. proposed by psychoanalysis reflects all the shortcomings of psychoanalytic teaching. Attempts to connect particular empirical data in this direction with natural philosophy finally lead the understanding of N. out of the area of scientific theories. The empirical data united by the concept of N., although they require further research, are a significant contribution to the field of psychology and psychopathology of sexuality and the regularities of its development. B. Fridman.