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{{short description|Psychology concept}}
{{short description|Psychology concept}}
In [[Psychoanalysis#Theories|psychoanalytic theory]], '''narcissistic supply''' is a pathological or excessive need for attention or admiration from [[codependents]], or such a need in the [[Oral stage#Oral-stage fixation|orally fixated]], that does not take into account the feelings, opinions or preferences of other people{{cn|date=May 2022}}.
In [[Psychoanalysis#Theories|psychoanalytic theory]], '''narcissistic supply''' is a pathological or excessive need for attention or admiration from [[codependents]], or such a need in the [[Oral stage#Oral-stage fixation|orally fixated]], that does not take into account the feelings, opinions or preferences of other people.<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Darlene|last=Lancer|url=https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/toxic-relationships/202108/the-concept-narcissistic-supply|title=The Concept of Narcissistic Supply|magazine=[[Psychology Today]]|date=August 7, 2021|accessdate=January 4, 2023}}</ref>


The concept was introduced by [[Otto Fenichel]] in 1938, to describe a type of [[admiration]], [[Social support|interpersonal support]] or sustenance drawn by an individual from his or her environment and essential to their [[self-esteem]].<ref name=fenichel>{{Harvnb|Fenichel|1938}}.</ref>
The concept was introduced by [[Otto Fenichel]] in 1938, to describe a type of [[admiration]], [[Social support|interpersonal support]] or sustenance drawn by an individual from his or her environment and essential to their [[self-esteem]].{{sfn|Fenichel|1938}}


== History ==
== History ==
Building on [[Sigmund Freud|Freud]]'s concept of [[Narcissism|narcissistic]] satisfaction<ref>Sigmund Freud, ''Case Histories II'' (PFL 9) p. 380.</ref> and on the work of his colleague the psychoanalyst [[Karl Abraham]],<ref>{{Harvnb|Abraham|1927}}.</ref> Fenichel highlighted the narcissistic need in early development for supplies to enable young children to maintain a sense of mental equilibrium.<ref>{{Harvnb|Fenichel|1996|pp=40, 105}}.</ref> He identified two main strategies for obtaining such narcissistic supplies—aggression and [[ingratiation]]—contrasting styles of approach which could later develop into the sadistic and the submissive respectively.<ref>{{Harvnb|Fenichel|1996|pp=41, 352–6}}.</ref>
Building on [[Sigmund Freud|Freud]]'s concept of [[Narcissism|narcissistic]] satisfaction<ref>Sigmund Freud, ''Case Histories II'' (PFL 9) p. 380.</ref> and on the work of his colleague the psychoanalyst [[Karl Abraham]],{{sfn|Abraham|1927}} Fenichel highlighted the narcissistic need in early development for supplies to enable young children to maintain a sense of mental equilibrium.{{sfn|Fenichel|1996|pp=40, 105}} He identified two main strategies for obtaining such narcissistic supplies—aggression and [[ingratiation]]—contrasting styles of approach which could later develop into the sadistic and the submissive respectively.{{sfn|Fenichel|1996|pp=41, 352–356}}


A childhood loss of essential supplies was for Fenichel key to a depressive disposition, as well as to a tendency to seek compensatory narcissistic supplies thereafter.<ref>{{Harvnb|Fenichel|1996|pp=404–5}}.</ref> Impulse neuroses, addictions including [[love addiction]] and [[gambling]] were all seen by him as products of the struggle for supplies in later life.<ref name = "Fenichel 1996 372">{{Harvnb|Fenichel|1996|pp=372, 382 and 510}}.</ref> Psychoanalyst [[Ernst Simmel]] (1920) had earlier considered neurotic [[gambling]] as an attempt to regain primitive love and attention in an adult context.<ref>J. Halliday/P. Fuller eds., ''The Psychology of Gambling'' (London 1974) p. 218</ref>
A childhood loss of essential supplies was for Fenichel key to a depressive disposition, as well as to a tendency to seek compensatory narcissistic supplies thereafter.{{sfn|Fenichel|1996|pp=404–405}} Impulse neuroses, addictions including [[love addiction]] and [[gambling]], were all seen by him as products of the struggle for supplies in later life.{{sfn|Fenichel|1996|pp=372, 382 and 510}} Psychoanalyst [[Ernst Simmel]] (1920) had earlier considered neurotic gambling as an attempt to regain primitive love and attention in an adult context.<ref>{{cite book |editor-last1=Halliday |editor-first1=J. |editor-last2=Fuller |editor-first2=P. |title=The Psychology of Gambling |year=1974 |page=218}}</ref>


== Personality disorders ==
== Personality disorders ==
Line 15: Line 15:


== Functions in narcissistic pathology ==
== Functions in narcissistic pathology ==
In their adolescence, the narcissist internalises a "bad" recipient (usually their parent){{cn|date=May 2022}}. They regard feelings that are socially discouraged towards this recipient, including types of aggression such as hatred and envy, among others. These perceptions reinforce the [[self-image]] of the narcissist as immoral and corrupt{{cn|date=May 2022}}. They eventually create a feeling of [[Self-esteem|self-worth]] that is dysfunctional. Their self-confidence and self-image become unrealistically low and distorted.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.healthyplace.com/personality-disorders/malignant-self-love/narcissists-narcissistic-supply-and-sources-of-supply|title=Narcissists, Narcissistic Supply And Sources of Supply {{!}} HealthyPlace|website=www.healthyplace.com|access-date=2019-09-01}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=May 2022}} In an attempt to repress these "bad" feelings, the narcissist also suppresses all emotions. Their aggression is channeled into fantasies or outlets that are socially lawful like [[extreme sport]]s, gambling, reckless driving, and shopping. The narcissist sees the environment as a place that is hostile, unstable, unfulfilling, morally wrong, and unpredictable.
In their adolescence, the narcissist internalises a "bad" recipient (usually their parent).{{cn|date=May 2022}} They regard feelings that are socially discouraged towards this recipient, including types of aggression such as hatred and envy, among others. These perceptions reinforce the [[self-image]] of the narcissist as immoral and corrupt.{{cn|date=May 2022}} They eventually create a feeling of [[Self-esteem|self-worth]] that is dysfunctional. Their self-confidence and self-image become unrealistically low and distorted.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.healthyplace.com/personality-disorders/malignant-self-love/narcissists-narcissistic-supply-and-sources-of-supply|title=Narcissists, Narcissistic Supply And Sources of Supply {{!}} HealthyPlace|website=www.healthyplace.com|access-date=2019-09-01|archive-date=2019-09-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901081145/https://www.healthyplace.com/personality-disorders/malignant-self-love/narcissists-narcissistic-supply-and-sources-of-supply|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=May 2022}} In an attempt to repress these "bad" feelings, the narcissist also suppresses all emotions. Their aggression is channeled into fantasies or outlets that are socially lawful like [[extreme sport]]s, gambling, reckless driving, and shopping. The narcissist sees the environment as a place that is hostile, unstable, unfulfilling, morally wrong, and unpredictable.


Narcissists generally have no inherent sense of self-worth, so they rely on other people, via attention or narcissistic supply, to re-affirm their importance in order to feel good about themselves and maintain their [[self-esteem]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://thenarcissisticlife.com/narcissistic-supply/|title=Narcissistic Supply {{!}} The Narcissistic Life|website=thenarcissisticlife.com|date=24 March 2014 |access-date=2019-09-01}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=May 2022}} They then turn other people into operations or objects in such a way that others do not pose any emotional threat{{cn|date=May 2022}}. This reactive pattern is [[Narcissistic personality disorder|pathological narcissism]].
Narcissists generally have no inherent sense of self-worth, so they rely on other people, via attention or narcissistic supply, to re-affirm their importance in order to feel good about themselves and maintain their [[self-esteem]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |website=thenarcissisticlife.com |url=https://thenarcissisticlife.com/narcissistic-supply/ |title=Narcissistic Supply {{!}} The Narcissistic Life |date=24 March 2014 |access-date=2019-09-01 |archive-date=2019-09-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901081144/https://thenarcissisticlife.com/narcissistic-supply/ |url-status=live }}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=May 2022}} They then turn other people into operations or objects in such a way that others do not pose any emotional threat{{cn|date=May 2022}}. This reactive pattern is [[Narcissistic personality disorder|pathological narcissism]].


The narcissist projects a [[True self and false self|false self]] to elicit a constant stream of attention or narcissistic supply from others. The false self is an unreal façade or cover they show to the world that involves what the narcissist intends to be seen as - powerful, elegant, smart, wealthy, or well-connected.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=http://samvak.tripod.com/faq76.html|title=Narcissists, Narcissistic Supply and Sources of Supply|website=samvak.tripod.com|access-date=2019-09-01}}</ref>{Unreliable source?|date=May 2022}} The narcissist then 'collects' reactions to this projected false self from their environment, which may consist of their spouse, family, friends, colleagues, business partners, and peers. If the expected narcissistic supply (adulation, admiration, [[attention]], fear, respect, applause, or affirmation) is not forthcoming – they are demanded or extorted by the narcissist.<ref name=":2" /> Money, compliments, a media appearance, a sexual conquest are all merely different forms of the same thing to a narcissist - narcissistic supply.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=http://samvak.tripod.com/faq76.html#sex|title=Narcissists, Narcissistic Supply and Sources of Supply|website=samvak.tripod.com|access-date=2019-09-01}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=May 2022}}
The narcissist projects a [[True self and false self|false self]] to elicit a constant stream of attention or narcissistic supply from others. The false self is an unreal façade or cover they show to the world that involves what the narcissist intends to be seen as - powerful, elegant, smart, wealthy, or well-connected.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |url=http://samvak.tripod.com/faq76.html |title=Frequently Asked Question # 76 |website=Narcissists, Narcissistic Supply and Sources of Supply |access-date=2019-09-01 |archive-date=2019-09-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190903013123/http://samvak.tripod.com/faq76.html |url-status=live }}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=May 2022}} The narcissist then 'collects' reactions to this projected false self from their environment, which may consist of their spouse, family, friends, colleagues, business partners, and peers. If the expected narcissistic supply (adulation, admiration, [[attention]], fear, respect, applause, or affirmation) is not forthcoming – they are demanded or extorted by the narcissist.<ref name=":2" /> Money, compliments, a media appearance, a sexual conquest are all merely different forms of the same thing to a narcissist - narcissistic supply.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |url=http://samvak.tripod.com/faq76.html#sex |title=Note: Narcissistic Supply and Sex |website=Narcissists, Narcissistic Supply and Sources of Supply |access-date=2019-09-01 |archive-date=2019-09-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190903013123/http://samvak.tripod.com/faq76.html#sex |url-status=live }}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=May 2022}}


== Sources ==
== Sources ==
The attention they receive from the "supply source" is essential to the narcissist's survival, without it they would die (physically or metaphorically) because their fragile ego depends on it to handle their unstable self-esteem. There are distinctive forms of narcissistic supply to attain them with two separate sources. Scholars and researchers generally recognise two main kinds of narcissistic supply: primary, acquired through more publicly directed forms of attention, and secondary, generally acquired through attention attained through [[Interpersonal relationship|interpersonal relationships.]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://narcissisticbehavior.net/narcissism-and-the-addiction-to-narcissistic-supply/|title=Narcissism And The Addiction To Narcissistic Supply|last=Christine |date=2012-03-24|website=The Roadshow for Therapists|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-01}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=May 2022}}
The attention they receive from the "supply source" is essential to the narcissist's survival, without it they would die (physically or metaphorically) because their fragile ego depends on it to handle their unstable self-esteem. There are distinctive forms of narcissistic supply to attain them with two separate sources. Scholars and researchers generally recognise two main kinds of narcissistic supply: primary, acquired through more publicly directed forms of attention, and secondary, generally acquired through attention attained through [[Interpersonal relationship|interpersonal relationships.]]<ref>{{Cite web|last=Christine|date=2012-03-24|url=https://narcissisticbehavior.net/narcissism-and-the-addiction-to-narcissistic-supply/|title=Narcissism And The Addiction To Narcissistic Supply|website=The Roadshow for Therapists|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-01|archive-date=2019-09-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901081145/https://narcissisticbehavior.net/narcissism-and-the-addiction-to-narcissistic-supply/|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=May 2022}}


=== Primary ===
=== Primary ===
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==== Triggers ====
==== Triggers ====
A main narcissistic supply [[wikt:trigger|trigger]] is an individual or object that causes the source to provide narcissistic supply by confronting the source with information about the false self of the narcissist. Narcissistic supply is the source's response to the trigger.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pro.psychcentral.com/recovery-expert/2019/02/what-is-narcissistic-supply/|title=What is Narcissistic Supply?|last=Stines|first=Sharie|date=2019-02-10|website=The Recovery Expert|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-01}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=May 2022}} If the false self is projecting admiration and the narcissist finds an environment that feeds into their need, then it becomes a trigger of primary narcissistic supply.
A main narcissistic supply [[wikt:trigger|trigger]] is an individual or object that causes the source to provide narcissistic supply by confronting the source with information about the false self of the narcissist. Narcissistic supply is the source's response to the trigger.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pro.psychcentral.com/recovery-expert/2019/02/what-is-narcissistic-supply/|title=What is Narcissistic Supply?|last=Stines|first=Sharie|date=2019-02-10|website=The Recovery Expert|access-date=2019-09-01|archive-date=2019-09-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901081144/https://pro.psychcentral.com/recovery-expert/2019/02/what-is-narcissistic-supply/|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=May 2022}} If the false self is projecting admiration and the narcissist finds an environment that feeds into their need, then it becomes a trigger of primary narcissistic supply.


Publicity (celebrity or notoriety, being renowned or being notorious) is a narcissistic supply trigger because it causes individuals to pay attention to the narcissist, thus moving sources to provide narcissistic supply to the narcissist. Publicity can be acquired through exposure, creation of something, or by provoking attention.<ref name=":3" /> The narcissist continually resorts to all three, much like what drug addicts are doing to guarantee their regular dose. One such cause of narcissistic supply is a partner or a companion.{{cn|date=May 2022}}
Publicity (celebrity or notoriety, being renowned or being notorious) is a narcissistic supply trigger because it causes individuals to pay attention to the narcissist, thus moving sources to provide narcissistic supply to the narcissist. Publicity can be acquired through exposure, creation of something, or by provoking attention.<ref name=":3" /> The narcissist continually resorts to all three, much like what drug addicts are doing to guarantee their regular dose. One such cause of narcissistic supply is a partner or a companion.{{cn|date=May 2022}}


=== Secondary ===
=== Secondary ===
Secondary narcissistic supply involves projecting the image that they live a good life (a worthy cause of pride for the narcissist), maintaining a safe existence (financial security, personal acceptability, upward growth), and acquiring companionship.<ref name=":4" /> Thus, having a partner, possessing significant property, being creative, operating a company (converted into a pathological narcissistic space), having a feeling of anarchic liberty, being a part of a community or society, having a skilled or other reputation, being prosperous, owning land and displaying one's status signs-all represent secondary narcissistic supply as well.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://samvak.tripod.com/faq76.html#devaluation|title=Narcissists, Narcissistic Supply and Sources of Supply|website=samvak.tripod.com|access-date=2019-09-01}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=May 2022}} Whatever would be a [[status symbol]] in the community of friends of the narcissist and would be considered a secondary source as achievement in that community.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://soulmateinhell.blogspot.com/2015/09/the-two-types-of-narcissistic-supply.html|title=Soulmates In Hell: The Two Types of Narcissistic Supply You MUST Understand|date=2015-09-08|website=Soulmates In Hell|access-date=2019-09-01}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=May 2022}} Secondary supply is about the overall image that the lives of the narcissist brings to their friends and relatives.<ref name=":1" /> However, if it is to endure, this type of supply requires to be positive, any display of negativity would end up hurting the person, no matter who they may be. It is this type of supply that is also the reserve source for short primary narcissistic supply. However, the narcissist uses both in much the same manner.{{cn|date=March 2021}}
Secondary narcissistic supply involves projecting the image that they live a good life (a worthy cause of pride for the narcissist), maintaining a safe existence (financial security, personal acceptability, upward growth), and acquiring companionship.<ref name=":4" /> Thus, having a partner, possessing significant property, being creative, operating a company (converted into a pathological narcissistic space), having a feeling of anarchic liberty, being a part of a community or society, having a skilled or other reputation, being prosperous, owning land and displaying one's status signs-all represent secondary narcissistic supply as well.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://samvak.tripod.com/faq76.html#devaluation |title=Why does the narcissist devalue his Source of Secondary Narcissistic Supply (SSNS)? |website=Narcissists, Narcissistic Supply and Sources of Supply |access-date=2019-09-01 |archive-date=2019-09-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190903013123/http://samvak.tripod.com/faq76.html#devaluation |url-status=live }}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=May 2022}} Whatever would be a [[status symbol]] in the community of friends of the narcissist and would be considered a secondary source as achievement in that community.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://soulmateinhell.blogspot.com/2015/09/the-two-types-of-narcissistic-supply.html|title=The Two Types of Narcissistic Supply You MUST Understand|date=2015-09-08|website=Soulmates In Hell|access-date=2019-09-01|archive-date=2019-09-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901081144/http://soulmateinhell.blogspot.com/2015/09/the-two-types-of-narcissistic-supply.html|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=May 2022}} Secondary supply is about the overall image that the lives of the narcissist brings to their friends and relatives.<ref name=":1" /> However, if it is to endure, this type of supply requires to be positive, any display of negativity would end up hurting the person, no matter who they may be. It is this type of supply that is also the reserve source for short primary narcissistic supply. However, the narcissist uses both in much the same manner.{{cn|date=March 2021}}


== See also ==
== See also ==
{{columns-list|colwidth=30em|
{{columns-list|colwidth=20em|
* [[Adult-to-adult narcissistic abuse]]
* [[Adult-to-adult narcissistic abuse]]
* [[Attention seeking]]
* [[Attention seeking]]
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* [[Trophy wife]]
* [[Trophy wife]]
* [[Personality disorder]]
* [[Personality disorder]]



}}
}}


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|chapter= A Short Study of the Development of the Libido, View in the Light of Mental Disorders
|chapter= A Short Study of the Development of the Libido, View in the Light of Mental Disorders
|chapter-url = https://archive.org/stream/selectedpapersof032367mbp#page/n419/mode/2up |access-date= 29 October 2013
|chapter-url = https://archive.org/stream/selectedpapersof032367mbp#page/n419/mode/2up |access-date= 29 October 2013
|title= ''In [[Ernest Jones]], ed.,'' Selected Papers of Karl Abraham ''(pp.&nbsp;418–501)''
|editor=[[Ernest Jones]] |title=Selected Papers of Karl Abraham |pages=418–501
|location= London |publisher= [[Hogarth Press]]
|location= London |publisher= [[Hogarth Press]]
|isbn= <!-- n/a --> }}
|isbn= <!-- n/a --> }}
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|title= The Psychoanalytic Theory of Neurosis |edition= 50th anniversary
|title= The Psychoanalytic Theory of Neurosis |edition= 50th anniversary
|location= New York, NY |publisher= [[W. W. Norton & Company]]
|location= New York, NY |publisher= [[W. W. Norton & Company]]
|isbn= 978-0-393-03890-3 |ref= {{Harvid|Fenichel|1996}} }}
|isbn= 978-0-393-03890-3}}
{{refend}}
{{refend}}



Latest revision as of 16:24, 22 April 2024

In psychoanalytic theory, narcissistic supply is a pathological or excessive need for attention or admiration from codependents, or such a need in the orally fixated, that does not take into account the feelings, opinions or preferences of other people.[1]

The concept was introduced by Otto Fenichel in 1938, to describe a type of admiration, interpersonal support or sustenance drawn by an individual from his or her environment and essential to their self-esteem.[2]

History

[edit]

Building on Freud's concept of narcissistic satisfaction[3] and on the work of his colleague the psychoanalyst Karl Abraham,[4] Fenichel highlighted the narcissistic need in early development for supplies to enable young children to maintain a sense of mental equilibrium.[5] He identified two main strategies for obtaining such narcissistic supplies—aggression and ingratiation—contrasting styles of approach which could later develop into the sadistic and the submissive respectively.[6]

A childhood loss of essential supplies was for Fenichel key to a depressive disposition, as well as to a tendency to seek compensatory narcissistic supplies thereafter.[7] Impulse neuroses, addictions including love addiction and gambling, were all seen by him as products of the struggle for supplies in later life.[8] Psychoanalyst Ernst Simmel (1920) had earlier considered neurotic gambling as an attempt to regain primitive love and attention in an adult context.[9]

Personality disorders

[edit]

Psychoanalyst Otto Kernberg considered the malignant narcissistic criminal to be coldly characterised by a disregard of others unless they could be idealised as sources of narcissistic supply.[10] Self psychologist Heinz Kohut saw those with narcissistic personality disorder as disintegrating mentally when cut off from a regular source of narcissistic supply.[11] Those providing supply to such figures may be treated as if they are a part of the narcissist, in an eclipse of all personal boundaries.[12]

Functions in narcissistic pathology

[edit]

In their adolescence, the narcissist internalises a "bad" recipient (usually their parent).[citation needed] They regard feelings that are socially discouraged towards this recipient, including types of aggression such as hatred and envy, among others. These perceptions reinforce the self-image of the narcissist as immoral and corrupt.[citation needed] They eventually create a feeling of self-worth that is dysfunctional. Their self-confidence and self-image become unrealistically low and distorted.[13][unreliable source?] In an attempt to repress these "bad" feelings, the narcissist also suppresses all emotions. Their aggression is channeled into fantasies or outlets that are socially lawful like extreme sports, gambling, reckless driving, and shopping. The narcissist sees the environment as a place that is hostile, unstable, unfulfilling, morally wrong, and unpredictable.

Narcissists generally have no inherent sense of self-worth, so they rely on other people, via attention or narcissistic supply, to re-affirm their importance in order to feel good about themselves and maintain their self-esteem.[14][unreliable source?] They then turn other people into operations or objects in such a way that others do not pose any emotional threat[citation needed]. This reactive pattern is pathological narcissism.

The narcissist projects a false self to elicit a constant stream of attention or narcissistic supply from others. The false self is an unreal façade or cover they show to the world that involves what the narcissist intends to be seen as - powerful, elegant, smart, wealthy, or well-connected.[15][unreliable source?] The narcissist then 'collects' reactions to this projected false self from their environment, which may consist of their spouse, family, friends, colleagues, business partners, and peers. If the expected narcissistic supply (adulation, admiration, attention, fear, respect, applause, or affirmation) is not forthcoming – they are demanded or extorted by the narcissist.[14] Money, compliments, a media appearance, a sexual conquest are all merely different forms of the same thing to a narcissist - narcissistic supply.[16][unreliable source?]

Sources

[edit]

The attention they receive from the "supply source" is essential to the narcissist's survival, without it they would die (physically or metaphorically) because their fragile ego depends on it to handle their unstable self-esteem. There are distinctive forms of narcissistic supply to attain them with two separate sources. Scholars and researchers generally recognise two main kinds of narcissistic supply: primary, acquired through more publicly directed forms of attention, and secondary, generally acquired through attention attained through interpersonal relationships.[17][unreliable source?]

Primary

[edit]

The primary narcissistic supply is based on attention in both its public forms such as recognition, fame, infamy, stardom, and its private, more interpersonal, types of praise, admiration, applause, fear, and repulsion.[citation needed] It is crucial to realise that the primary narcissistic supply represents attention of any kind–positive or negative.[14][unreliable source?] Their "realisations" may be imaginary, fictional, or only evident to the narcissist, as long as others believe in them. Appearances qualify more than the content; it is not the truth that matters, but their perception of it.[10] Therefore, as long as they receive the expected reaction or attention that they had projected through their false self, the connotation attached to it is inconsequential.[citation needed]

Triggers

[edit]

A main narcissistic supply trigger is an individual or object that causes the source to provide narcissistic supply by confronting the source with information about the false self of the narcissist. Narcissistic supply is the source's response to the trigger.[18][unreliable source?] If the false self is projecting admiration and the narcissist finds an environment that feeds into their need, then it becomes a trigger of primary narcissistic supply.

Publicity (celebrity or notoriety, being renowned or being notorious) is a narcissistic supply trigger because it causes individuals to pay attention to the narcissist, thus moving sources to provide narcissistic supply to the narcissist. Publicity can be acquired through exposure, creation of something, or by provoking attention.[15] The narcissist continually resorts to all three, much like what drug addicts are doing to guarantee their regular dose. One such cause of narcissistic supply is a partner or a companion.[citation needed]

Secondary

[edit]

Secondary narcissistic supply involves projecting the image that they live a good life (a worthy cause of pride for the narcissist), maintaining a safe existence (financial security, personal acceptability, upward growth), and acquiring companionship.[16] Thus, having a partner, possessing significant property, being creative, operating a company (converted into a pathological narcissistic space), having a feeling of anarchic liberty, being a part of a community or society, having a skilled or other reputation, being prosperous, owning land and displaying one's status signs-all represent secondary narcissistic supply as well.[19][unreliable source?] Whatever would be a status symbol in the community of friends of the narcissist and would be considered a secondary source as achievement in that community.[20][unreliable source?] Secondary supply is about the overall image that the lives of the narcissist brings to their friends and relatives.[13] However, if it is to endure, this type of supply requires to be positive, any display of negativity would end up hurting the person, no matter who they may be. It is this type of supply that is also the reserve source for short primary narcissistic supply. However, the narcissist uses both in much the same manner.[citation needed]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]

Citations

[edit]
  1. ^ Lancer, Darlene (August 7, 2021). "The Concept of Narcissistic Supply". Psychology Today. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  2. ^ Fenichel 1938.
  3. ^ Sigmund Freud, Case Histories II (PFL 9) p. 380.
  4. ^ Abraham 1927.
  5. ^ Fenichel 1996, pp. 40, 105.
  6. ^ Fenichel 1996, pp. 41, 352–356.
  7. ^ Fenichel 1996, pp. 404–405.
  8. ^ Fenichel 1996, pp. 372, 382 and 510.
  9. ^ Halliday, J.; Fuller, P., eds. (1974). The Psychology of Gambling. p. 218.
  10. ^ a b Kernberg, Otto F. (1974). "Contrasting Viewpoints Regarding the Nature and Psychoanalytic Treatment of Narcissistic Personalities: A Preliminary Communication". Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association. 22 (2): 255–67. doi:10.1177/000306517402200202. PMID 4412618. S2CID 16599586.
  11. ^ Heinz Kohut, The Chicago Institute Lectures (1996) p. 37
  12. ^ Hotchkiss, Sandy & Masterson, James F. Why Is It Always About You? : The Seven Deadly Sins of Narcissism (2003) p. 28
  13. ^ a b "Narcissists, Narcissistic Supply And Sources of Supply | HealthyPlace". www.healthyplace.com. Archived from the original on 2019-09-01. Retrieved 2019-09-01.
  14. ^ a b c "Narcissistic Supply | The Narcissistic Life". thenarcissisticlife.com. 24 March 2014. Archived from the original on 2019-09-01. Retrieved 2019-09-01.
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Sources

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