What do Muhammed Ali and Adolf Hitler have in common?

At first, it is hard to believe that these men would have anything in common. One was a genocidal manic and the other was an iconic boxer. Ali was fighting against prejudice and Hitler was endorsing ethic cleansing. They appear to be at two extremes of the spectrum. However, both have a common trait: narcissism. Muhammed Ali was well known for his narcissistic style just as much for his fighting ability. He would frequently declare, I am the greatest! Adolf Hitler, who set out to conquer the world and establish the super race, is a prime example of a leader to have had narcissistic personality disorder. Narcissistic personality disorder affects about 1% of the general population, mainly males (Schwartz, 2000). This personality disorder main not be affecting a vast majority of the populace nevertheless it does affect people, some who are arguably famous. In this research paper, I will look at some causes, features, and possible treatments for narcissistic personality disorder. Also, I will use a well-known figure in history to who exemplified this disorder: Napoleon Bonaparte. First off, where does this word narcissism originate? And what is narcissistic personality disorder? Wilson, Nathan, O'Leary, & Clark, (1996) found the following: The word narcissist is derived from the Greek myth about Narcissus, a handsome young man who was told by his mother that he would have a long life if he never looked at his features. Despite her warning, Narcissus gazed into a spring at his reflection and fell in love with his own image. (p.386)

Needless to say, those who obsessively adore themselves are narcissistic. However, narcissism is more than just an obsession with their looks. People with narcissistic personality disorder are often preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, brilliance, power, beauty, and ideal love relationships (Sarason & Sarason, 2002). This means more than enjoying your beauty but having an unhealthy preoccupation with such traits. There is nothing wrong with dreaming of great feats in life but when they overreach reality at the expense of others, it becomes an issue. Wilson et al. (1996) also found this: Narcissists have a strong sense of superiority, which leads naturally to expectations of special treatment, callous use of other people to further their own ends, and blindness to others needs and feelings. (p.387) When a person will insist on getting pre-eminence above others and showing a lack of empathy, then we see narcissistic personality disorder shining through. Therefore, we can safely say that narcissistic personality disorder is much more than liking yourself. If liking yourself were narcissism then most of us would be narcissistic. Narcissistic personality disorder has some clinical features so that a mental health professional can properly help their clients. Sarason and Sarason (2002) list the following: 1. Grandiose sense of self-importance 2. Preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, and beauty 3. Sense that ones specialness and uniqueness that can be appreciated only by other special or high-status people or institutions

4. Need for excessive admiration and attention 5. Sense of entitlement 6. Exploitation of other people 7. Lack of empathy 8. Arrogance (p.284) With these features, we can identify those who have narcissistic personality disorder without lumping our own friends and family into the category and insulting them.

Napoleon Bonaparte was a French military and political leader who rose to dominance during the French Revolution. This little man has become a worldwide cultural icon for military genius and political power. However, he had a pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy and behavior), need for admiration, and a lack of empathy (Wilson, Nathan, O'Leary, & Clark, 1996). We can easily notice his military achievement but his personality was one kept Napoleon in the history books. He even exclaimed himself, as Nicholls records, I am not a man. I am a historic figure (Nicholls, 1999). Napoleon is an ideal persona who exemplified narcissistic personality disorder in so many ways. Nicholls tells us: Artists, writers, and musicians were employed to celebrate notable events in his career and also for the mass production of prints, paintings, and busts of Napoleon. (p.200)

This man was undoubtedly a military genius but his grandiose sense of self-importance and need for excessive admiration and attention has marred his image. Yes, his achievements are enviable but his personality was much to be desired. Unlike, Mohandas K. Gandhi or Martin Luther King Jr., though never conquered the world with violence, whos personality was selfless and showed great empathy towards others. Nevertheless, I do not think Napoleon would have accomplished his feats if he were so humble. Nicholls shares with us this: The heroic of Napoleon shaped by artists stepped in classical antiquity could reach ludicrous proportions, with the emperor looking nothing like himself, clothed (or unclothed) as Jupiter or Apollos. He wanted to be an emperor, an equal among the crowned heads of Europe. Napoleons ideal was that ever lowerclass household should have a painting of him on its walls and every bourgeois salon should be adorned with his bust. (p.200) This is just the tip of the iceberg of Napoleons personality disorder. Museums can easily show us how he fantasied about himself. He painted himself as larger than life and demanded that he be treated so. To the point that he even crowned himself King! How did Napoleon get like this? In psychodynamic terms, narcissism starts in childhood (Schwartz, 2000). Napoleons childhood was filled with entitlement and arrogance. The psychoanalytic theory suggests that such personalities are compensating for inadequate affection and approval from their parents in early childhood (Alloy, Riskind, & Manos, 2005). The social learning perspective sees this disorder as created by parents who have inflated views of their childrens talents and therefore have unrealistic expectations.

(Alloy, Riskind, & Manos, 2005). His grandiosity easily started in his youth. His early military achievements could also have enabled this disorder. The critical question at this point would be; what possible theories can aid in treatment for Bonaparte? Cognitive-behavioral therapy for narcissistic personality disorder also is oriented toward reducing the clients grandiosity and enhancing the clients ability to relate to others (Halgin & Whitbourne, 2007). With this therapy, therapist would plan interventions that work with, rather than against, the clients self-aggrandizing and egocentric tendencies (Halgin & Whitbourne, 2007). What a therapist would also do with this therapy is to avoid giving into the clients demand. He/she would show alternative ways of reaching goals. Additionally, the psychodynamic approach to treating individuals with narcissistic personality disorder is based on the notion that they lack early experiences of admiration for their positive qualities (Halgin & Whitbourne, 2007). A mental health professional would make use of empathy to support the clients search for recognition and admiration. The therapist would assist them in realizing that no one is flawless. Bonaparte, Ali, and Hitler, were icon historical figures, who will be remembered for their feats throughout history. Some who worked for positive change for peace and others who tried to quell the world with violence to ensure peace. However, these great men will also be remembered for their need for excessive admiration and attention, arrogance, grandiose sense of self-importance, etc. The need for further study is without question when it comes to narcissistic personality disorder. With further study, we can determine the turning point and create ways of helping family, friends, and leaders, who are suffer for narcissistic personality disorder. 5

Bibliography
Alloy, L. B., Riskind, J. H., & Manos, M. J. (2005). Abnormal Psychology: Current Perspectives. (9. Edition, Ed.) New York, New York: McGrawHill. Halgin, R. P., & Whitbourne, S. K. (2007). Abnormal Psychology: Clinical Perspective on Psychological Disorders (5th Edition ed.). New York, New York: McGraw-Hill. Nicholls, D. (1999). Napoleon: A Biographical Companion. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-CLION, Inc. Sarason, I. G., & Sarason, B. R. (2002). Abnormal Psychology: The Problem of Maladaptive Behavior (10th Edition ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc. . Schwartz, S. (2000). Abnormal Psychology: A Discovery Approach. Mountain View, California: Mayfield Publishing Company. Wilson, G. T., Nathan, P. E., O'Leary, K. D., & Clark, L. A. (1996). Abnormal Psychology: Integrating Perspective. Needham Heights, MA: Allyne and Bacon, Inc. .

Introduction 3/3 Disorder 15/15 Biography 12/15 (more information needed on his early life. You alluded to it but it was not explicitly discussed) Theory application 10/15 Conclusion 2/2 References 4.5/5 Format and grammar 4.5/5

51/60