The truth is that narcissists are very adept at impression management in managing the ways others perceive them.
They will appear to praise their victims in public, all while criticizing and demeaning them in private.
The chameleon-like narcissist shows multiple faces to the public, each one more duplicitous than the last.
They blend in easily to any social groups they are a part of.
Their light must be dimmed, in only the covert fashion the narcissist knows how to employ.
Unfortunately for that target, he or she will become privy to the true self behind the narcissists mask.
This is a terrifying, yet revealing experience that both alienates and enlightens the victim.
It can take place inany contextwhere a narcissistic person is able to manipulate someone else.
So how and why does the narcissist get away with it?
Ali Morshedlou
There are several reasons which I explore below:
Impression management.
The truth is that narcissists are very adept at impression management in managing the ways others perceive them.
They willappearto praise their victims in public, all while criticizing and demeaning them in private.
Moreover, narcissists know how to build a stellar reputation.
A high and mighty pedestal will be built for their victims, just for the purpose of being destroyed.
The narcissist needs to stage this cycle to make it derive their sense of power.
The Halo Effect
Narcissists usually possess some quality that sets them up to be trusted.
Steven is such a good person!
Hed never do anything like that!
Or, I dont understand why you would attack Rebecca like this.
She never did anything like that to me!
Our Inability To Confront the Conscienceless
InThe Sociopath Next Door,Dr.
Martha Stoutastutely notes that a part of a healthy conscience is being able to confront the conscienceless.
Unfortunately, our society is ill-equipped to deal with the danger of malignant narcissists in our midst.
We rationalize that it was probably a misunderstanding.
We fall prey to wanting social validation and approval.
Why are conscience-bound human beings so blind?
We are afraid, and our sense of reality suffers.
It makes us among the more discerning of our peers.
Rather than falling into the trap of silencing ourselves, its important to validate our voices and continue speaking.
That is how revolutions begin.
