BASIC THESES BEHIND THE CONCEPT OF NARCISSISTIC DISTORTION

Main Article Content

MAJA MILIĆ

Abstract

This paper offers the basic theses behind the concept of narcissistic distortion, which can take place in two directions – the paper explains subject formation and experience in so-called concave and convex narcissistic mirroring. The theory proposed in this paper largely relies on Lacan's mirror stage, and on his contribution to subject's development of self-consciousness through constitutive-imaginary dimensions of subjectivity. In cases of inserted concave or convex distortion, the subject locates themselves in the place of the Other, by identifying themselves with their own distorted mirror image in the Other. These distortions influence subject formation in a very concrete manner, carrying over the predisposition for certain instabilities in latter mirroring. The paper is illustrated with a case study aimed at easier understanding of the approach offered in it. It also provides a critical reflection on the possibility of plane mirror formation, as well as a detailed designation of convex distortion and four positions of concave narcissistic distortion.

Article Details

How to Cite
MILIĆ, M. (2020). BASIC THESES BEHIND THE CONCEPT OF NARCISSISTIC DISTORTION. Arhe, 17(33), 267–288. https://doi.org/10.19090/arhe.2020.33.267-288
Section
STUDIES AND INQUIRIES
Author Biography

MAJA MILIĆ, Belgrade

Belgrade

References

Bursztein, J-G., Subjective Topology: A Lexicon, Hermann Editeurs Des Sciences Et Des Arts Sa, Paris, 2019.

Bursztein, J-G., The Unconscious, its Space-Time: Aristotle, Lacan, Poincaré, Hermann Editeurs Des Sciences Et Des Arts Sa, Paris, 2020.

Evans D., An Introductory Dictionary of Lacanian Psychoanalysis, Routledge, London, 1996.

Freud, S., “The Ego and the Id and Other Works”, in The Dissolution of the Oedipus complex: The Standard Edition of the Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud. Volume XIX, 1923-1925, 1924.

Friedman, M. and Tomsic, S., Psychoanalysis: Topological Perspectives: New Conceptions of Geometry and Space in Freud and Lacan, Transcript Verlag, 2017.

Greenshields, W., Writing the Structures of the Subject: Lacan and Topology (The Palgrave Lacan Series), Palgrave Macmillan, London, 2018.

Hegel, G. V. F., Fenomenologija duha, BIGZ, Beograd, 1974.

Jevremović, P., Inverzija stadijuma ogledala, u Hermeneutički triptih, Gramatik, Beograd, 2019.

Jevremović, P., Psihoanaliza i ontologija, Zavod za udžbenike i nastavna sredstva, Beograd, 1988.

Jevremović,P., Lakan i psihoanaliza, Plato, Beograd, 2000.

Jevremović, P., Telo, fantazam, simbol, Službeni glasnik, Beograd, 2007.

Jevremović, P., „Psihoanaliza između krivice i tragizma Hajnca Kohuta”, u Kohut, H. Psihoanaliza između krivice i tragizma: izabrani eseji, Zavod za udžbenike i nastavna sredstva, Beograd, 1999.

Kerneberg, P., Beyond the Reflection: The role of the mirror paradigm in clinical practice, Other Press, New York, 2007.

Klein, M., Envy and Gratitude and Other Work, A Delta Book, New York, 1977.

Kohut, H., „Introspection, empathy and psychoanalysis. An examination of the relationship between mode of observation and theory”, in Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association, 1959, Vol 7, 1959.

Lacan, J., „The Mirror Stage as Formative of the I Function as Revealed in Psychoanalytic Experience“, in Ecrits, W. W. Norton & Company, New York, 2006.

Lacan, J. „God and Woman's jouissance“, in Encore, W. W. Norton & Company, New York, 1998.

Lacan, J., „The Ego in Freud’s Theory and in the Tehnique of Psychoanalysis“, in The Seminar of Jacque Lacan, Book II,. Cambridge, 1988.

Lacan, J., „The Ethics of Psychoanalysis“, in The Seminar of Jacques Lacan: Book VII, 1959-60, Routledge, London, 1992.

Lacan, J., „The Two Narcissisms“, in The Seminar of Jacques Lacan Book I: Freud’s Papers on Technique, 1953–1954. W.W. Norton, New York, 1988.

Merlo-Ponti M., Vidljivo i nevidljivo, Akademska knjiga, Novi Sad, 2012.

Ragland, E. and Milovanovic, D., Lacan: Topologically Speaking, Other Press, New York, 2004.

Winnicott, D. W., Mirror-role of the mother and family in child development, in Playing and Reality, Psychology Press, Hove, 2005.

Most read articles by the same author(s)