Narcissism and aggression

Many of the phenomena we associate with violence and rage seem to be connected with narcissistic wounding. In this study, the narcissistic dimension of personality is regarded as a phylogenetic derivative of a territorial instinct. The establishment of a self-territory is experienced as a form of personal space, and an effort is made to distinguish various regions in this space. In particular, there is envisaged a narcissistic core consisting of the multiplicity of affiliations to which a given person belongs. These include gender identity, body self, religion, patriotism, lineage, profession, and other such self-defining attachments. In addition, there is a periphery to this space, a point of contact with the boundaries of others where much vulnerability can develop in people with narcissistic problems. It is in connection with such vulnerabilities and the immense reactivity to the invasion of core narcissistic territory that the nature of violence in interpersonal reactions needs to be studied.