"What Frank says below is of type (1). What Jochen (and others) have talked about before (childhood experiences, etc.) is more like type (2)."
Type 2? The authentic selfhood of the child is not authenticated by the parent(s). According to psycoanalyst Otto Kernberg: "Presenting excessive self-absorption usually coinciding with a superficially smooth and effective social adaptation, by with serious distortions in their internal relationships with other people. They present various combinations of intense ambitiousness, grandiose fantasies, feelings of inferiority, overdepedence on external admiration and acclaim. Along with feelings of boredom and emptiness, and continuous search for gratification of strivings for brilliance, wealth, power and beauty, there are serious deficiencies in their capacity to love and to be concerned about others. This lack of capacity for empathic understanding of others often comes as a surprise considering their superficially appropriate social adjustment." As for a detailed elucidation of causes, you have to read a highly technical book such as Kohut. Frank Wimberly Phone (505) 670-991
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