SEMINAR PAPER INSTRUCTIONS
for the course Differential Psychopathology Winter semester 2016/17 – M3
Title: My stance on Narcissism: personal and professional
Format: Times New Roman font 12pt, spacing 1,5
Lenght: 10-15 pages BUT those who were attending regularly (present 4,5 or 6 days out of
total 6) can write 7-10 pages.
References: APA style
Deadline: 27.01.2017 via e-mail: [email protected]
Content: „Narcissism“ in the title refers to the full spectrum of Narcissism - from narcissistic
traits, throught NPD, Malignant Narcissism to Psychopathy. In the course we were discussing
problems with diagnosing this phenomena, showing the limitations of oficial diagnostics
criteria in DSM and ICD manuals, and introduced alternative dimensional model by Otto
Kernberg. As well, we were discussing new research findings about psychopathy by Robert
Hare who is making disctinctions between antisocial personality disorder (which includes
criminal behavior) and psychopathy (as a distinct category who can function without criminal
record).
In your paper you should explain briefly the present situation in our field in relation to
Narcissism and present your personal understanding of this phenomena at the moment, and
what you think is the useful approach or knowledge that you can apply in your personal and
professional life.
In relation to this understanding you should further discuss possible application of this
knowledge in therapy – where you can briefly introduce possibilities of working with
narcissists or with victims of naricissistic abuse (in personal relationships and in workplace),
but you can chose only one to focus for more detailed description.
Furthermore, you can reflect on the ways you can prevent yourself to become the target or a
victim of narcissistic abuse or manipulation in your personal and/or professional life.
Literature:
Articles provided for you in PDF:
Behary, W. (2013). Challenging the Narcissist: How to Find Pathways to Empathy. Retrived
from http://www.disarmingthenarcissist.com/uploads/Copyright_PN_-_2013.pdf September
2016
de Canonville, C. L. (2015). The First Face Of Evil: The Profile Of A Narcissistic Personality
Disorder. in The Three Faces of Evil (pp.39- 52). Black Card Books. Stouffville, Ontario,
Canada.
Goldner-Vukov, M. & Moore, L. J. (2010). Malignant Narcissism: From Fairy Tales To Harsh
Reality. Psychiatria Danubina, Vol. 22, No. 3, pp 392–405
Hare, R. (1994). This Charming Psychopath: How to Spot Social Predators Before They
Attack. Retrived from https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/199401/charmingpsychopath September 2016
Hoermann, S.; Zupanick, C. E.; & Dombeck, M. (2013). Diagnosis of Personality Disorders.
Retrived from https://www.mentalhelp.net/articles/the-history-of-the-psychiatric-diagnosticsystem/ September 2016
Kernberg, O. (2004). A Psychoanalytic Theory of Personality Disorders. In Aggressivity,
Narcissism, and Self-Destructiveness in the Psychoterapeutic Relationship: New
Developments in the Psychopathology and Psychotherapy of Severe Personality Disorders
(pp 3-27). Yale University Press.
Videos:
Soldinger. M. (Director). (2007). Egomania [Documentary]. UK: Firecracker Films.
(available at youtube)
Torrie. J. (Director). (2014). The Psychopath Next Door. [Documentary] Canada: High
Definition Pictures. (featuring Dr Robert Hare and Dr Stephen Porter, available at youtube)