This study examined the empirical relationship between narcissism and self-esteem in an attempt to evaluate competing conceptualizations of narcissism. Participants were 236 children (mean age 11.3 years) in the fourth through eighth grades. Counter to earlier conceptions, which characterized narcissism as very high self-esteem, narcissism and self-esteem were slightly negatively correlated. Also, narcissism predicted several adjustment variables, including aggression. None of these relationships was mediated by self-esteem. Lastly, self-esteem moderated the relationship between narcissism and aggression in boys. Taken together, these lines of evidence point to a new conceptualization of narcissism, modeled after self-discrepancy theory, in which narcissism is conceptualized as grandiosity in the ideal self. Implications of this proposal and directions for future research are discussed. / by Rachel Evans. / Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2009. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2009. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Whether you are trying to impress others, communicate efficiently, develop trust with your teammates or followers, or choose key partners to work with, you need to accurately anticipate what others think of you. This process, which is called meta-perception (Laing, Phillipson, & Lee, 1966), is thus crucial for your day-to-day life, and also at work. Still, meta-perception fails to be considered as a key individual process in the field of Organizational Behavior – OB. Therefore, this dissertation aims to gather empirical and theoretical evidence showing that meta-perception is an important process for organizational life. Thus, this dissertation focuses on the process itself (i.e. meta-perception and meta-accuracy), its antecedents and its outcomes, applied to social evaluation situations that are common at work. First, I aim to provide the bases of a consensual and context-specific approach of meta-perception enabling its study in the field of OB by differentiating the manifestations of meta-accuracy and by using statistical methods that consider both components of meta-accuracy, namely meta-perception and other-perception (Edwards, 1995, 2002; Shanock, Baran, Gentry, Pattison, & Heggestad, 2010). Second, I aim to examine whether meta-perception, its bias and its accuracy are affected by specific antecedents (i.e. narcissism and leadership style) that have received growing attention in OB. Third, I aim to study the effect of meta-perception and its accuracy on outcomes usually influenced by person perception, such as performance and hireability, and characterized by social evaluation. To achieve these aims, four research projects were performed (i.e. three empirical projects, gathering eight studies, and one theoretical project). The first project examines the link between narcissistic tendencies and a specific form of meta-perception. The second project tests the effect of leadership style on the accuracy of meta-perception and whether this accuracy has a positive impact on task performance. The third project provides a theoretical framework on the advantages of including meta-perception of performance in Multi-Source Feedback. The fourth project tests whether meta-perception and its accuracy play a role in hireability. These research projects led to key contributions to the literature on meta-perception and its accuracy, narcissism, leadership and the field of OB. First, this research contributes to the literature on meta-perception by proposing a context-specific approach of meta-perception. This dissertation specifically justifies the need to (a) differentiate the aspects on which meta-perception focuses (e.g. emotions, behaviors, skills, traits), (b) study meta-perception as related to self-perception and other-perception to gain knowledge about the bias and accuracy of meta-perception, and (c) examine the role of meta-accuracy in predicting organizational behaviors according to its three dimensions (i.e. size, direction, and favorability). Second, it contributes to the literature on leadership by studying the effect of narcissism and leadership style on meta-perception through the assessment individuals’ egocentrism and flexibility. Third, it contributes to the OB field and meta-accuracy literature by showing that the three dimensions of meta-accuracy (i.e. size, direction and favorability) have specific effects on task performance, professional development and hireability. In fine, this dissertation constitutes a well-documented plea for the integration and recognition of meta-perception as a key process in Organizational Behavior studies. / Doctorat en Sciences économiques et de gestion / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-28T20:37:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Erlon de Araujo Campos.pdf: 552197 bytes, checksum: d5c533aaa852aa28c51ea13b32980ca0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-05-20 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The focus of this work is basically the evolution of the concept of narcissism in Freud's psychoanalytical model. Thus it seeks to grasp Freud s meaning of this notion from the initial propositions registered in his work. It is possible to observe explanations to certain types of choice of object as a result of fixation and identification mechanisms, which lead to a choice whose object resembles the very ego of the subject involved in such a process. This work also points to the characterization of narcissism when Freud understood it as a developmental stage between autoeroticism and love for object. However, this research will deal in some detail with which is considered the deepest and most comprehensive point about narcissism in Freud s work: the text Introduction to narcissism. For this approach a key premise will be the inextricable relation between the notion of narcissism and the idea of instinct and, as a consequence, the resulting changes of the instinct dynamics with Introduction to narcissism, specifically the investments of libido, which as from this moment is described as investing not only in external objects but also in ego itself. Also based on the same texts, the anaclitic and narcissistic choices of objects are considered, as well as the notion of primary and secondary narcissism and the ideas of ideal ego and ego s ideal. Finally, this research seeks to identify the existence of more significant changes in narcissism by the time Freud introduced the second topography. In that direction, it can be noticed some noticeable changes related to primary narcissism, presented at this theorization phase as a more primal and unobjectal stage in comparison with Freud s first suggestions, and to secondary narcissism, which at this moment corresponds to the first concept of primary narcissism / Este trabalho trata, basicamente, da evolução do conceito de narcisismo no modelo psicanalítico freudiano. Procura, assim, captar os sentidos dados por Freud a esta noção desde as proposições iniciais registradas em sua obra. Neste sentido, são observadas explicações para determinados tipos de escolha de objeto decorrentes de mecanismos de fixação e identificação, os quais desembocam numa escolha cujo objeto se assemelha ao próprio eu do envolvido em tal processo. Este mesmo estudo também aponta para a caracterização do narcisismo quando Freud o entendeu como estágio de desenvolvimento entre o autoerotismo e o amor de objeto. No entanto, esta pesquisa se deterá de forma um pouco mais pormenorizada no ponto que se considera o mais abrangente e aprofundado relativo ao narcisismo na obra freudiana: o texto Introdução ao narcisismo. Será considerada premissa de destaque neste enfoque, a inextricabilidade da noção de narcisismo com a ideia de pulsão e, por conseguinte, serão abordadas as alterações surgidas na dinâmica das pulsões com a Introdução ao narcisismo, mais especificamente nos investimentos da libido, que a partir deste momento é descrita como investindo não apenas em objetos externos, mas também no próprio eu. São também referidas, com base no mencionado texto, as escolhas de objeto por apoio, bem como as narcísicas. E, igualmente, as noções de narcisismo primário e de narcisismo secundário são consideradas, além das ideias de eu ideal e ideal do eu. Por fim, esta pesquisa busca levantar a existência de modificações mais significativas relativas ao narcisismo quando da introdução da segunda tópica por Freud. Nesta direção, são percebidas algumas transformações com certo peso relacionadas ao narcisismo primário, proposto nesta fase de teorização como etapa mais primeva e anobjetal em relação às primeiras sugestões de Freud, e do narcisismo secundário, o qual passa a corresponder, neste momento, à primeira concepção de narcisismo primário

La présente thèse vise à réfléchir sur les actions éducatives qui ont pour but de promouvoir la « sociabilité démocratique » - l’une des directives actuelles de la scolarisation au Brésil - à partir de l’investigation sur les impasses relatives au lien fraternel et de l’affirmation selon laquelle l’école peut être comprise en tant que d ispositif sociétal impliqué dans ce que nous appelons « socialisation du narcissisme ». Pour ce faire, trois lignes de travail sont développées. La première, consacrée aux vicissitudes des fratries, part du débat établi entre Einstein et Freud en 1932 sur les « puissantes forces psychologiques » qui agissent dans le sens d’entraver le rêve d’une vie commune moins marquée par la haine et par la ségrégation. L’objectif ici est de reprendre ce débat et de reconstituer le mythe freudien de l’origine de la culture pour soutenir que l’approfondissement d’une éthique fraternelle exige que nous prenions en compte l’antagonisme insurmontable sur lequel la relation entre semblables est basée La deuxième ligne de travail cherche à récupérer dans les théories de Claude Lefort et Cornelius Castoriadis certaines notions qui nous aident à comprendre ce qu´ implique, pour l'expérience politique de l´Occident, l'invention démocratique. La troisième ligne de travail, enfin, cherche à mettre en évidence le caractère nécessaire de la participation du semblable dans le processus de subjectivation de l’être humain. Si dans un premier moment Freud nous a aidé à constituer un cadre de références pour l’interprétation des ambivalences et de la fragilité du lien fraternel, l’objectif maintenant est de montrer comment le conflit du sujet avec son semblable peut être compris à travers l’analyse des processus identificatoires requis dans ce processus de subjectivation. Pour cela, nous faisons recours à l’essai Le stade du miroir, de Lacan, et à quelques écrits de l’écrivaine brésilienne Clarice Lispector. / Esta tese busca refletir sobre as ações educativas que têm como fim a promoção da “sociabilidade democrática” – uma das diretrizes da escolarização no Brasil. Parte-se, para isso, de uma reflexão sobre os impasses relativos ao laço fraterno e da afirmação de que a escola pode ser compreendida como um dispositivo societário implicado com o que denominamos, na companhia da psicanalista Maria Rita Kehl, de “socialização do narcisismo”. Três linhas de trabalho são, para isso, requeridas. A primeira, dedicada à investigação dos impasses do laço fraterno e às vicissitudes das fratrias, tem como ponto de partida o debate estabelecido entre Einstein e Freud, em 1932, sobre os “fatores psicológicos de peso” que atuam no sentido de dificultar – ou até mesmo de inviabilizar – o sonho de uma vida em comum menos marcada pelo ódio, pelos preconceitos e pela segregação. O objetivo, aqui, é recuperar esse debate e reconstituir o mito freudiano da origem da cultura para dele extrair uma diferença que aparece em filigranas no pensamento de Freud: se a horda primitiva nos remete a uma massa de indivíduos indiferenciados entre si porque subjugados à violência e ao autoritarismo do pai primevo, a comunidade fraterna, por outro lado, remete-nos a relações sociais mediadas pela autoridade da Lei simbólica e, por isso, marcadas pela rivalidade e pela agressividade entre semelhantes Como pensar, então, o aprofundamento de uma ética fraterna quando afirmamos que as relações numa fratria são atravessadas por um antagonismo constitutivo e, por isso, intransponível? A segunda linha de trabalho busca resgatar das teorias de Claude Lefort e de Cornelius Castoriadis algumas noções que nos ajudam a compreender o que implica, para a experiência política do Ocidente, a invenção da democracia. Na terceira linha de trabalho, finalmente, destaca-se o caráter necessário da participação do semelhante no processo de subjetivação do rebento humano. Se num primeiro momento o estudo das obras socioantropológicas de Freud ajudou-nos a constituir um quadro de referências para a interpretação das ambivalências e da fragilidade do laço fraterno, o objetivo agora é mostrar como a conflitiva do sujeito com o semelhante pode ser compreendida por meio da análise dos processos identificatórios requeridos nesse processo de subjetivação. Para isso, realizo um mergulho simultâneo no ensaio O estádio do espelho como formador da função do eu, de Lacan, e na obra A paixão segundo G.H., da escritora Clarice Lispector. / The aim of this thesis is to reflect upon educational actions whose purpose is to promote “democratic sociability” – one of the directives of schooling in Brazil – from the investigation on the impasses related to fraternal bond and the assertion that school can be understood as a societal system associated with what we call the "socialization of narcissism". For this, two lines of work are being developed. The first one, dedicated to the investigation on the impasses of fraternal bond and the vicissitudes of phratries, starts from the debate between Einstein and Freud in 1932 on "psychological factors of weight" that act in the sense of hindering the dream of a life in common less marked by hatred and segregation. The aim here is to recover this debate and reconstitute the Freudian myth of the origin of culture to support that the further development of a fraternal ethic requires that we take into account the insurmountable antagonism on which the relation among fellow creatures is based The second line of work seeks to rescue from the theories of Claude Lefort and Cornelius Castoriadis some notions that help us to understand what the democratic invention implies for the political experience of the West. As to the third line of work, what is sought is to highlight the necessary character of the participation of the fellow creature in the process of subjectivation of the human being. If, at the beginning, the study of Freud's socio- anthropological works helped to provide a framework of references for the interpretation of ambivalences and the fragility of the fraternal bond, the objective is now to show how the conflict of the subject with the fellow creature can be understood through the analysis of the identifying processes required in this process of subjectivation. In order to achieve this, the essay Le stade du miroir by Lacan and some writings by Clarice Lispector are used.

Submitted by admin tede (tede@pucgoias.edu.br) on 2016-08-18T11:45:21Z No. of bitstreams: 1 GISELE TELES DA CRUZ BANDIERA.pdf: 891371 bytes, checksum: a12223dc7729e7f755c2f4f66179e0f2 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-18T11:45:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 GISELE TELES DA CRUZ BANDIERA.pdf: 891371 bytes, checksum: a12223dc7729e7f755c2f4f66179e0f2 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-03-25 / This study aims to understand the complexity and the richness of the elements that come together for the construction of parenthood, from the psychoanalytic theory approach, using the descriptive method of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) and, above all, a case study. The results highlighted the psychic level, the importance of primary narcissism, the psychic transmissions that goes through the generations, and the reminiscence of childhood history of the parents. In a historical, social and cultural level, were evidenced impasses resulting from the breakdown of traditional paradigms – haunting contradictions and uncertainties – and still the individualistic logic and prevailing hedonistic. This context led to profound upheavals in the structure and family functioning, marked by the change in mindset of parents and of the postmodern woman, by the inversion of roles and the consequent imbalance of parental investment. Finally, highlighted that parents sufficiently good ensure a space of transcription and transformation to their heir, thanks to their psychological resources able to face adequately the needs of the environment and pull away themselves both of the compulsory repetition of transgenerational purposes as of the illusory attempt of refuse them. Therefore, it is a process that began in its own early childhood where certainly had been granted a satisfactory maternal care. Otherwise, still remain to parents, to find in the relation with child, a shelter to such repairs. / Este trabalho objetiva compreender, a partir das manifestações e relatos da experiência parental, a complexidade e a riqueza dos elementos que se conjugam para a construção da parentalidade e os atuais impasses envolvidos nesse processo. Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa, composta de um estudo de caso, que adota a entrevista como instrumento para coleta de dados e a Análise Fenomenológica Interpretativa (AFI) como método para descrever e interpretar o fenômeno da parentalidade. Os resultados obtidos ressaltaram a importância do narcisismo primário, das transmissões psíquicas que perpassam as gerações, e da reminiscência da própria história infantil dos pais. Evidenciou impasses em função da quebra dos paradigmas tradicionais – que assombrou contradições e incertezas – e da lógica individualista e hedonista predominante. Esse contexto provocou reviravoltas profundas na estrutura e no funcionamento familiar, marcadas pela mudança no ideário dos pais e da mulher pós-moderna, pela inversão dos papéis e o consequente desequilíbrio do investimento parental. Por fim, a pesquisa destacou que pais suficientemente bons asseguram um espaço de transcrição e transformação ao seu herdeiro, graças aos seus recursos psíquicos capazes de enfrentar adequadamente às exigências do meio e de se desvencilharem, tanto da repetição compulsória dos desígnios transgeracionais, quanto da ilusória tentativa de recusá-los. Para tanto, conta-se com um processo iniciado em sua tenra infância, na qual, certamente, garantiuse uma assistência materna satisfatória. Caso contrário, ainda lhes resta encontrar, na própria relação vincular com o filho, abrigo para tais reparações.

Submitted by admin tede (tede@pucgoias.edu.br) on 2017-05-12T12:43:59Z No. of bitstreams: 1 SANDRA FÁTIMA DA SILVA ARAÚJO.pdf: 1107564 bytes, checksum: f9cff204766c4a51e868c55fa5507a2c (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-12T12:44:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 SANDRA FÁTIMA DA SILVA ARAÚJO.pdf: 1107564 bytes, checksum: f9cff204766c4a51e868c55fa5507a2c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-03-03 / This work is an investigation about the duo in a perspective of the irony and the narcissism, by the use of the esthetic language in the Oscar Wilde‟s novel: The portrait of Dorian Gray. The novel works with the manifestation of the beauty and the youth, in a relationship with the Victorian Age on the XIX Century, considering the preponderance of Dandy symbol in the tale. This research aims to demonstrate how the duo is an occurrence of the irony, presented in Dorian‟s character. It also aims to dispute the presence of irony in the manipulation process in the novel and the influence of the Estheticism in the action of this character. This study also approach the linguistic sign in interaction with the image, in this specific case, the portrait. This research adopts as methodology the qualitative approach, the bibliography revision and the analysis of contents as a support to make a comprehension about the society, the human practices and the values inside the novel. As a theoretical support, this study adopts many authors that discuss about cultural semiotics and language, art and literature and the studies of Muecke (1995), Todorov (2013), Kierkegaard (2005), Bakhtin (2005) end Barros (2008). / A ocorrência do duplo e seus desdobramentos na perspectiva da ironia e do narcisismo, pelo recurso do uso da linguagem estética na obra O Retrato de Dorian Gray, de Oscar Wilde. O romance suscita a manifestação do belo e da busca pela juventude eterna, numa relação direta com a sociedade vitoriana da Inglaterra do século XIX, considerando a preponderância do dandismo nesse período. A presente pesquisa tem visa a demonstrar como o duplo sedimenta a ocorrência do narcisismo, materializado no personagem Dorian Gray. Intenta, também, apresentar a operacionalização da ironia no processo de manipulação presente na narrativa e a influência do esteticismo no agir desse personagem. Associados a esses dois fatores, abordase o alcance do signo linguístico e suas relações com a imagem, no caso, o retrato de Dorian Gray, elemento artístico desencadeador de toda a trama e ações no romance analisado. A pesquisa adota a abordagem qualitativa, a revisão bibliográfica e a análise de conteúdo, por constituírem indicadores indispensáveis para organizar este estudo sobre transgressão do conceito de arte, de sociedade e dos valores aqui inseridos. A partir do suporte teórico de autores que versam sobre linguagem, arte, literatura, cultura, embasando-se no quadrante da semiótica cultural e na linha teórica da narrativa, esta pesquisa parte dos princípios estabelecidos e discutidos por Muecke (1995), Todorov (2013), Kierkegaard (2005), Bakhtin (2005) e Barros (2008).

O presente estudo se propõe analisar os traços de personalidade do Dark Triad na decisão de manipular resultados para maximização de ganhos pessoais e empresariais. Para a discussão teórica considerou-se o Dark Triad, composto por traços não patológicos do Narcisismo, da Psicopatia e do Maquiavelismo e também a investigação do uso oportunístico da informação contábil-financeira quanto à decisão de manipular resultados, fundamentada pela Teoria dos Altos Escalões. Adotou-se a abordagem metodológica teórico-empírica. Os dados foram coletados usando um questionário survey divido em quatro partes: perfil demográfico, instrumento de medição de personalidade - Short Dark Triad (SD3), uma Simulação Empresarial com assertivas decisórias com enfoque em manobras financeiras e um jogo no formato Loteria. Três estudos foram realizados para adaptar o SD3 para uso no Brasil e testar três hipóteses formuladas. O Estudo 1 utilizou uma amostra de 30 alunos de Ciências Contábeis; o Estudo 2 utilizou uma amostra de 131 estudantes de MBA na área de Gestão Financeira. Ambos os estudos foram conduzidos como um teste preliminar para ajustar o questionário para o Estudo 3. Os dados para o estudo 3 foram coletadas de 263 gestores, os quais possuíam mais de seis meses de experiência. Técnicas de estatística descritiva, correlação análise, teste de hipóteses e regressão logística permitiram evidenciar, no Estudo 3, uma correlação significativa entre os três traços de personalidade. O Maquiavelismo e a Psicopatia apresentaram o maior valor correlacional. Existe uma relação positiva entre os altos traços de Maquiavelismo e Psicopatia e a decisão de manipular resultados. Em relação aos níveis, os traços moderados e altos do Maquiavelismo apresentaram maior aproximação. Já os traços da Psicopatia baixo e moderado demonstraram maior aproximação, permitindo a inferência de que o traço moderado apresenta menor tendência de os gestores decidirem pela manipulação de resultados. O Narcisismo não revelou diferenças entre médias, não sendo possível analisar os seus níveis. O estudo confirmou a relação positiva entre a interação dos três tipos de personalidade que compõem o Dark Triad e a decisão de manipular resultados. Os resultados levam à defesa da tese proposta de que a disposição de manipular resultados para a maximização de ganhos pessoais e empresariais está associada à interação de Maquiavelismo, Narcisismo e Psicopatia e aos níveis (baixo, moderado e alto) de pelo menos um desses traços que compõem o Dark Triad. Assim, este estudo contribui teórica, prática e metodologicamente para a área contábil, sobretudo para o campo da contabilidade comportamental, por discutir uma temática psicológica inovadora no contexto nacional; oferecer às empresas insights para o reconhecimento dos aspectos positivos e negativos em gestores dotados desses traços, no sentido de acompanhar mais de perto suas ações, para se tentar evitar prejuízos organizacionais; desperta para a análise de fatores comportamentais como potenciais influenciadores da tomada de decisão de manipular resultados; além de apresenta à sociedade brasileira a possibilidade de conhecimento, reconhecimento e convivência com indivíduos que exteriorizam esses traços de personalidade. / This study seeks to analyze the Dark Triad personality traits in the decision to manipulate earnings in order to maximize personal and business earnings. For the theoretical discussion, it was considered the Dark Triad of personality, composed by non-pathological traits of Narcissism, psychopathy and Machiavellianism and also, the opportunistic use of the financial-accounting information, regarding the decision to manipulate earnings, grounded on the Upper Echelon Theory. A theoretical and empirical methodology was employed. Data were collected using survey questionnaire divided into four parts: demographic profile, personality measurement tool - Short Dark Triad (SD3), a Business Simulation with assertive decision-making with a focus on financial maneuvers and a game in the Lottery format. In order to adapt the SD3 for use in Brazil and to test three formulated hypotheses, three studies were carried out. The Study 1 used a sample of 30 accountancy students; Study 2 used a sample of 131 MBA students in the area of Financial Management. Both studies were conducted as a preliminary test to adjust the questionnaire to Study 3. Data for Study 3 were collected from 263 managers, which have had more than six months of experience. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, hypotheses tests and logistical regression evidenced a significant correlation among the three personality traits. The highest correlation was found between Machiavellianism and psychopathy. There was a significant positive relationship between high incidence of Machiavellianism and psychopathy traits and the decision to manipulate earnings. Regarding the levels, the high and moderate traits of Machiavellianism showed greater approximation. On the other hand, moderate and low traits of Psychopathy showed greater approximation, allowing for the inference that the moderate trait indicates a smaller tendency of managers deciding to manipulate the earnings. Narcissism did not reveal differences between the averages, which made it impossible to analyze its levels. The study confirmed the positive relationship between the interaction of the three Dark Triad personality traits and the decision to manipulate earnings. Therefore, the results confirm the proposed thesis that the decision to manipulate earnings to maximize personal and business earnings is associated with the interaction of Machiavellianism, Narcissism and psychopathy and the levels (low, moderate and high) of, at least, one of these Dark Triad traits. This study contributes theoretically, practically and methodologically to the field of Behavioral accounting. It discussed an innovative psychological theme in the national environment. The knowledge of the attributes of these personality traits may offer businesses insights to recognize the benefits and drawbacks of living with these types of managers and following more closely their actions, especially, to avoid organizational damage. Recognizing these traits in the others and in one\'s self may promote a more pleasant coexistence, by learning to deal with exteriorized behavior without the purpose of making these individual characteristics public out of respect for the involved ethical questions.

by Amy Tak-Yee Lai. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves [106]-114). / Abstract also in Chinese. / Chapter Chapter One --- "Narcissism, Approach and Theories" --- p.1 / Chapter Chapter Two --- The Artist and His Portrait: The Picture of Dorian Gray --- p.25 / Chapter Chapter Three --- The Stutterer and His Temple: The Temple of the Golden Pavilion --- p.49 / Chapter Chapter Four --- The Poet and His Garden: Ying'er --- p.70 / Chapter Chapter Five --- "Narcissism, Culture and Self" --- p.95 / Works Cited and Consulted --- p.106

Le rire n'est qu'un accident, un épiphénomène qui ne peut pas faire l'objet d'une connaissance scientifique, suppose le philosophe Ludovic Dugas après avoir étudié la question à différents niveaux (physiologique, cognitif, social, moraliste, esthétique etc.). Ce caractère« accidentel» qui trouble Dugas constitue le point de dépa1t de la présente recherche qui conjugue le rire et la subjectivité. Cette thèse s'attache d'une part à expliciter les a priori éthiques et épistémologiques sur lesquels reposent les différentes approches au problème et, d'autre pait, à tracer une ca1tographie du Iire en fonction de ses rapports avec la clinique du sujet. / Laughter is a mere accident, an epiphenomenon that cannot be the object of scientific lœowledge, philosopher Ludovic Dugas assumes after having studied the question at diff erent levels (physiological, cognitive, social, moralistic, aesthetic, etc.). This "accidentai" character which disturbs Dugas is the staiting point for this research that conjugates laughter and subjectivity. This thesis attempts to clarify the ethical and epistemological assumptions on which the different approaches to the problem are based on the one hand and to draw a cartography of laughter according to its relationship with the clinic of the subject on the other.

How can the same object become split when viewed by different groups of observers? What is the relationship between conflict and consensus, and the ritual and the rational? I interrogate these questions through the case of narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) in Germanophone Europe and North America. I interviewed forty-five practitioners from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the US and Canada. These conversations were semi-structured and ethnographically inflected. I attempted to take the informant’s perspective earnestly and to read any available works by that author in advance of the interview. To gain a sense of how science differed when not immediately concerned with the treatment of patients, I included an assessment specialist and a social-personality psychologist. Non-expert practitioners, who had not published any books or articles on pathological narcissism, were included to test whether theory is solely alluring to the academician or if it holds sway over the psychotherapist on the street. These respondent pools were matched as closely as possible across the two contexts to facilitate comparison. Approximately six psychotherapeutic schools emerged as important amongst my respondents. After a brief introduction to the different psychotherapies, I begin with the native understandings of NPD or pathological narcissism. These definitions and the wide range of narcissistic patients seen pose the puzzle: How can these definitions be so disparate, and all ostensibly be concerned with NPD as a clinical or scientific object? My concern is less oratorical and more earthy: What precisely do practitioners do? Opening with assessment (Ch. 5), we find some common signs. Diagnostic procedures may employ different technological mixes, but ultimately all follow a single pattern. Chapter 6 addresses empathy and the therapeutic alliance. The notion of a minimal medical model underlying all treatment types I encountered was unearthed despite many methods’ active denial of the ‘medical model.’ The patient-practitioner boundary is, however, far from the final frontier. Conceptualisation helps to guide the ways in which clinicians interact with one another, and ultimately the broader science of psychopathology. Chapter 8 addresses the ways in which different classificatory schemes relate to one another, and how this helps to shape the science of narcissism. What ultimately emerges is a story of (1) the minor differences of narcissism and (2) the narcissism of minor differences. The narcissism (2) can be said to obscure the (1) minor differences. Competition is inherent in the process at multiple levels: between models for both students and patients (attention-space), and through scientific exchange and the effort to gain evidence for one’s theory. I suggest that science serves less to find the best description or explanation for pathological narcissism, and more to legitimate one’s conceptualisation. Evidence of this sort gives a theoretical school means to command more financial and attentional resources. Psychotherapeutic technology is, however, path dependent, limiting the distance between any two methods.