Uppsatsens syfte har varit att undersöka om det i ett urval av storsäljande självhjälpslitteratur med fokus på självutveckling förmedlas narcissistiska budskap. Studien grundar sig i tidigare forskning som behandlat narcissism utifrån både ett psykologiskt-, och ett samhällsperspektiv. Därutöver har forskning om självhjälpslitteratur utgjort en del av referensramen för studien. Kvalitativ innehållsanalys har applicerats på materialet. Det empiriska urvalet har bestått av tre svenska självhjälpsböcker som figurerat på topplistor för större återförsäljare av litteratur på internet. Materialet har analyserats ur ett samhällsperspektiv med hjälp av Eric Fromms teorier om frihet, individuationsprocessen, själviskhet och ideal samt delar av Erving Goffmans dramaturgiska perspektiv. Resultatet visade att självhjälpslitteraturen som studerats förmedlar budskap som var och ett för sig kan uppfattas som sunda och rimliga. Läsaren uppmanades sätta sig själv främst, vara målmedveten, lära sig att hantera relationen till sig själv och andra samt hantera sina svagheter. Texterna förmedlade att självrespekt och empati var förutsättningar för lycka. Sammanfattningsvis har vissa budskap återfunnits som i samspel med varandra kan ses som narcissistiska. Studiens slutsats var att litteraturen förmedlade narcissistiska budskap, där gränsen mellan det sunda och osunda i hur läsaren uppmanades sätta sig själv i fokus, använda relationer, sätta egna mål samt sträva efter lycka och framgång, inte var självklar. / The purpose of this study was to investigate if a selection of best-selling self-help literature focusing on self-development contained narcissistic messages. The study is based on previous studies which analyzed narcissism from a psychological as well as a sociologic perspective. Research concerning self-help literature has also been used in the study. Content analysis has been applied to the material. The empiric selection consisted of three popular Swedish self-help books. The material has been analyzed from a sociologic perspective by using Eric Fromm’s theories on freedom, the individuation process, selfishness and ideals as well as Erving Goffman’s dramaturgical perspective. The result showed that the chosen self-help literature contained messages that on their own could be interpreted as rational and sound. The reader was encouraged to focus on itself, be goal-oriented and learn how to manage the own self and its weaknesses. The texts conveyed that self-respect and empathy were necessary conditions for achieving happiness. In summary, some messages that in interplay encouraged narcissism were found. In the end it was concluded that the literature conveyed narcissistic messages, where the line between healthy and unhealthy in how the readers were encouraged to put themselves first, use relations, set their own goals as well as pursuing happiness and success, wasn’t obvious.

Studiens syfte är att ur ett psykoanalytiskt perspektiv studera vad för konsekvenser vår individualistiska kultur får för den enskilde individen med avseende på frågor rörande brist, begär och lidande. För att kunna utforska om samtidens psykiska lidande är ett uttryck för att dessa frågor förnekas, intervjuades fem psykodynamiskt praktiserande psykoterapeuter vars upplevelser bär en avspegling av patienters lidande. Frågeställningen lyder: Hur ser den huvudsakliga patientproblematiken ut idag hos en grupp psykoterapeuter i enskild verksamhet? Vad anser dessa kliniskt arbetande psykoterapeuter vara dess orsak? Metoden som är kvalitativ har analyserats med hjälp av EPP-metoden. Undersökningens resultat visar tre skäl till patienters lidande: Begärslöshet, relationslöshet och prestationskrav. I undersökningen framkom två sätt varpå man försöker hantera sitt lidande: Man tilldelar sig en illusorisk föreställning om vem man är i form av idealjag samt genom att göra sitt värde socialt betingat. / The study´s aim is that from a psychodynamic perspective to study what impact our individualistic culture may for the individual with respect to issue of lack, desire and suffering. To explore the contemporary mental suffering is the expression of these matters denied, was interviewed five psychodynamic practioner psychotherapists whose experiences bear a reflection of patients´suffering. Question is: What are the major patient problems today in a group of psychotherapists in private activity? What do this clinically employed psychotherapists be its cause? The method is qualitative analyzed using the EPP method. The result show that patients suffering from desirelessness, lack of relationship and performance requirements. The investigation identified two ways in which the patient try to menage their suffering: it assigns itself an illusory imago in the form of ideal I and by making its value socially determined.

Several psychological processes motivate the use of Facebook. The correlation between subclinical narcissistic traits and Facebook use has been examined, but the results have been inconsistent. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between Facebook use and the exhibition of subclinical narcissistic traits. The method for this study was meant to improve upon previous studies that used self-reported data by providing researchers with a technique to collect Facebook data from the personal pages of participants, with informed consent. Social learning theory provided the theoretical foundation for this study. This theory posits that new patterns of behavior can be acquired through direct experience or by observing the behavior of others. This theory could explain why a billion people choose to post pictures, share news articles, add friends, and engage in other Facebook activities. Using a quantitative approach, approximately 3 months of Facebook activity from 93 participants were analyzed and correlated with Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI) scores. A multiple regression analysis was then used to examine the data in relation to the research questions and hypotheses. There were no statistically significant findings for Facebook activity and NPI scores. These findings may challenge the popular notion that Facebook and other social media represent a platform for narcissistic self-promotion. This study has potential to promote social change, in that the negative connotation may be removed from social media use, allowing more people to communicate openly without the fear of being perceived as narcissistic.

Narcissism is a multifaceted construct commonly conceptualized as comprising grandiose and vulnerable aspects in a two-factor model. While the manifold correlates of these aspects imposed a challenge for research on the structure of narcissism, recent models converge in a three-factor structure of agentic-extraverted, antagonistic, and neurotic aspects, capturing variance in different conceptualizations and correlates of narcissism. We construct and validate a German adaptation of the Five-Factor Narcissism Inventory (FFNI), a measure assessing these aspects based on the Five-Factor Model. In eight samples (N = 2,921), we found the German FFNI to align with both, two- and three-factor models. The factors display good criterion validity with other narcissism measures, (non-)clinical personality dimensions, interpersonal styles, and (mal-)adaptive adjustment. Neurotic and antagonistic narcissism discriminated between individuals with/without mental disorder diagnoses, and displayed a characteristic profile in incarcerated offenders. Since the FFNI is comprehensive but long, we constructed a 30-item brief form (FFNI-BF) optimizing the internal structure and external validity using ant colony optimization. The FFNI-BF displayed good psychometric characteristics and similar, in certain aspects even advantageous criterion validity. We conclude that the German FFNI validly measures key aspects of narcissism, and the FFNI-BF captures these in a concise manner.

This study examines the relationship between online self-disclosure, grandiose narcissism, vulnerable narcissism, Facebook use and frequency of status updates in existing self-report measures among 381 college students. Positive correlations were found between: vulnerable narcissism and Facebook status updates, and Facebook use and online self-disclosure. Following the equalization of the two different narcissism scales, college students scored higher on grandiose narcissism as opposed to vulnerable narcissism, the opposite to what was hypothesized. No correlations were found between: grandiose narcissism and Facebook status updates; grandiose narcissism and self-disclosure; and vulnerable narcissism and self-disclosure. Additionally, college women did not score higher in self-disclosure than men on Facebook. Through additional testing a correlation between vulnerable narcissism and Facebook use was also found. Results were negatively affected by the established grandiose narcissism scale failing reliability testing, thus, in the future, the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI) should be used. High religiosity is also known to positively correlate to positive mental health, therefore, in the future using less religiously orientated college students might yield different narcissism level results.

The last few decades have seen a growing body of research on narcissism, however few studies have examined the relationship between subclinical narcissism and future orientation. The proposed study will examine how grandiose and vulnerable types of narcissism influence future orientation, and whether anxiety, depression, impulsivity and sense of control play mediating roles in this relationship. It is also hypothesized that anxiety will play a mediating role between future orientation and vulnerable narcissism, but not between grandiose narcissism and future orientation. Finally, it is hypothesized that grandiose and vulnerable narcissism will be correlated within individuals. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) will be used to test the hypotheses, and the a priori model is expected to have a good fit to the data. This study will further our understanding about how narcissists view their futures, and whether this is influenced by mediating factors.

[pt] Partindo de uma análise introdutória da lógica do consumo fundada nas contribuições das Ciências Sociais, este trabalho desenvolveu a seguir o argumento segundo o qual a sociedade de consumo se beneficia, em grande medida, da permanência no psiquismo de um ideal de onipotência narcísica que aponta para um estado originário de ausência de necessidade, sintetizado na primeira experiência de satisfação. A intenção central deste trabalho foi, portanto, detectar quais os elementos psíquicos responsáveis pela sustentação do arranjo social representado pela sociedade de consumo, a partir de uma discussão das conseqüências subjetivas da constituição do sujeito numa cultura do consumo que, por outro lado, representam apoios psíquicos consistentes com sua manutenção. / [en] Starting from an introductory analysis os consumer logic, based on the contributions derived from Social Sciences, this study develops the argument that consumer society benefits largely from the persistence in the psyche of an omnipotent narcissist ideal which points to an original state of completeness, synthesized by the first experience of satisfaction. The core purpose of this work was, therefore, to detect which psychic elements are responsible for sustaining the social arrangement represented by consumer society, emphasizing the subjective consequences that result from the process of the constitution of a subject within a consumer cultura whilst, on the other hand, provide psychic support consistent with its maintenance.

Esta pesquisa representa um esforço teórico no sentido de evidenciar ao Direito do Trabalho a possibilidade de se compreender o fenômeno do assédio moral no trabalho por mais um referencial: a cultura do narcisismo. A consideração da cultura do narcisismo em estudos sobre assédio moral sinaliza ao Direito do Trabalho a tendência de banalização do assédio moral no trabalho e a necessidade primordial de se combater e prevenir tal fenômeno em uma perspectiva coletiva e social, promovendo debates que não estejam restritos ao ambiente de trabalho, mas que também considerem a discussão do agir do trabalhador como ser humano em outras esferas sociais que não apenas a produtiva. Encarar o assédio moral considerando a cultura do narcisismo implica forçosamente reconhecer que respostas individuais na justiça do trabalho são meramente paliativas e circunscrevem-se à categoria de reparação e não de efetiva transformação social. O Direito deve implementar mecanismos que contribuam para a conscientização sobre o assédio moral no atual contexto da cultura do narcisismo e para seu efetivo combate. / This research is a theoretical effort to demonstrate how the phenomenon of moral harassment at work can be understood in Labor Law using the culture of narcissism. When considering the culture of narcissism while studying moral harassment, it is possible to bring to Labor Laws attention the trend toward the trivialization of moral harassment at work and the primordial need for fighting against and preventing such phenomenon in a collective and social manner. Such fight and prevention should be carried out by promoting debates which are not restricted to the work environment and which also consider the discussion of the workers acting as human beings in areas other than the productive one. Viewing moral harassment with the narcissism culture in consideration necessarily entails recognizing that individual responses in labor justice are merely palliative and are confined to repairing an issue rather than socially transforming it. Law should implement mechanisms that contribute to raising the awareness of and fighting against moral harassment in the current context of the culture of narcissism.

Este trabalho versa sobre uma reflexão acerca de algumas questões atuais que envolvem o sujeito contemporâneo a partir de uma compreensão histórica e psicanalítica, enfatizando a experiência corpórea, de sua relação com a pele e com o adoecimento. Nosso propósito foi o de investigar as implicações contemporâneas na constituição da subjetividade diante do processo de adoecimento dermatológico. Utilizamos o método clínico-qualitativo de pesquisa apoiado na teoria psicanalítica para a análise dos dados. Foram analisados os discursos de 3 pacientes, em tratamento dermatológico ambulatorial de um hospital, em que utilizamos a entrevista semidirigida para a apreensão do discurso do paciente e, posteriormente, foram realizadas a análise do conteúdo temático e latente com o objetivo de compreender o significado simbólico apresentado sujeito doente diante do adoecimento. Chama-nos a atenção, em especial, a experiência cotidiana do sujeito na sua convivência com a doença. O narcisismo, enquanto conceito psicanalítico, apresentou um recurso fundamental para compreender o sofrimento do sujeito diante das demandas psíquicas versadas sob a perspectiva do ideal de eu. A pele, entendida enquanto limite e continência do eu, mostra uma importante interface entre o eu e o outro. Com a falência dos ideais sociais, passa a existir um primado dos ideais narcísicos e da corpolatria. Os modelos de beleza produzidos na cultura são tomados como ideais e determinam padrões estéticos que são incorporados pelo sujeito. Consequentemente, a doença e, em especial, no nosso estudo, a dermatose traz um sofrimento ampliado ao paciente dermatológico por esse distar do ideal de beleza e sedução contemporâneo, fazendo com que ele passe a conviver com o sentimento de diferente e de excluído. O adoecimento, enquanto característica própria da condição humana, é vivido como interdição das demandas por satisfação, e se ocupa do papel de frustrar o sujeito no seu projeto de felicidade e busca da perfeição narcísica / This work is about reflections concerning some actual questions which are raised with contemporary subjects based on a comprehension of history and psychoanalytics, stress of the physical experience; and the relationship of skin and falling ill. It is proposed to investigate the contemporary implications in subjective organization prior to the suffering dermatologic. A qualitative-clinical method of inquiry using psychoanalytic theory as the foundation of analysis of data is utilized. By analysis of discourse of 3 ambulatory patients in hospital dermatologic treatment, and semi-directive interviews concerning the suffering reported by patients, and later, conducting a latent theme content analysis with the objective of understanding the symbolic significance as shown by subjects becoming ill. Special attention is called to the daily experience of subjects in relationship to their illness. Whereas the narcissistic concept psychoanalytically presents to be how the basic complaint is the daily experience of the subject, in relationship to illness; before the demand of psychic versions under the perspective of the ideal self. The skin is understood to limit the contingence of display, and is thus an important interface between the inner, and outer self. With failure of the social ideal, there is the existence of the primary ideal of narcissistic physical projection. Our models of beauty are produced by a culture which takes sound ideals and determines esthetic requirements that are embodied by subjects as to how skin should appear. Consequently, an illness, and especially in the study, a dermatologic condition, carries amplified suffering for dermatology patients for that difference between the ideal of contemporary beauty and seductiveness, and how one passes and lives with feelings of difference and exclusion. Whereas traits of suffering are properly a part of the human condition; lived as interdiction; and life, the how of the interdiction of the demands for satisfaction, and the frustration of subjects as they project happiness, and find perfection in narcissism, are subjects of the paper

A indiferença é uma marca de nossa cultura que envolve noções de desprezo, falta de interesse, e apatia. Verificamos também a emergência de uma supervalorização da indiferença enquanto possibilidade de desafetação frente ao sofrimento, próprio ou do outro, relacionada a um estatuto de poder frente aos demais. Avançando em relação à inclusão em categorias meramente pejorativas, pretendemos sustentar que a indiferença é uma atitude em relação a algo. Uma vez que chega ao psicanalista via sofrimento psíquico, observamos que o tema convoca uma investigação no campo de pesquisa em psicanálise. Apostando que a psicanálise carrega em si um saber sobre as possibilidades de tratamento e reposicionamento dos sujeito frente ao desejo, este trabalho tem por objetivo realizar uma investigação acerca da indiferença como modalidade de sofrimento de nossa época, mobilizando a rede conceitual psicanalítica de Freud e Lacan por diversas vias que nos instrumentalizem na construção de hipóteses sobre possíveis estatutos da indiferença no campo clínico/político. Entendemos sua incidência dentro de um contexto político marcado por um narcisismo generalizado dentro do neoliberalismo, que produz uma lógica de exclusão e negação da diferença, como também uma indiferenciação dos sujeitos dentro da massa. A indiferença entra em cena articulada aos diferentes processos da constituição subjetiva, lida através das noções de indiferenciação, identificação e alienação. A presença da indiferença na atualidade é marcada por faces diversas, que atuam de modo intrincado. A fixação em identidades rígidas relega ao sujeito uma precariedade em relação ao reconhecimento da diferença, culminando em situações extremas de ódio e fanatismo. Uma profunda vinculação aos ditames de nossa época contribui para emergência de indivíduos intolerantes ao encontro com o estranho de si e do outro, além de efetuar indiferenças valorizadas como sinônimo de sucesso da autorrealização. A indiferença depressiva se coloca na contramão da lógica do mercado, o que a faz não desejada no contexto social. Diante disto concluímos que a psicanálise pode tratar do que dói na indiferença não oferecendo consistência às demandas de aumento de autocontrole e ideais de isolamento, mas auxiliando na produção de indiferenças necessárias frente a hipereatividade às diferenças / Indifference is a mark of our culture that involves the notions of contempt, lack of interest, and apathy. We can also see the emergence of indifference regarded as a possibility of disengagement, either a persons own suffering or from the suffering of others, related to a status of power over others. Moving forward in relation to the inclusion of indifference in merely pejorative categories, we intend to maintain that indifference is an attitude toward something. Once indifference is presented to the psychoanalyst through a patients psychic suffering, we observe that the theme calls for an investigation in the field psychoanalytic research. Considering that psychoanalysis carries within itself a knowledge about the possibilities of treatment and repositioning of the subject in front of his desire, this work aims to carry out an investigation about the indifference as a modality of suffering of our time, mobilizing the conceptual psychoanalytic network of Freud and Lacan, by various means that can instrumentalize us in the construction of hypotheses about possible statutes of indifference in the clinical / political field. We understand its incidence within a political context marked by generalized narcissism within neoliberalism, which produces a logic of exclusion and denial of difference, as well as an indifferentiation of the subjects within the mass. The indifference enters the scene articulated to the different processes of the subjective constitution, read through the notions of indifference, identification and alienation. The presence of indifference today is marked by diverse aspects, which act in an intricate way. The fixation on rigid identities relegates the subject to a precariousness regarding the recognition of the difference, culminating in extreme situations of hatred and fanaticism. A deep attachment to the dictates of our time contributes to the emergence of intolerant individuals in the encounter with the stranger within themselves and others, as well as effecting indifference as a valued synonymous to success and self-realization. Depressive indifference is set against the market logic, which makes it unwanted in the social context. From this we conclude that psychoanalysis can deal with what hurts in indifference, not offering consistency to the demands of increased self-control and ideals of isolation, but rather helping in the production of necessary indifference in the face of hyper-reactivity in face of differences