Left Wing Extremism Is Linked to Narcissism and Psychopathy—Study also showed many did not personally practice the beliefs they fervently push.
A recent study published in a peer-reviewed journal specializing in psychology revealed that extreme left-wing tendencies are often linked with psychopathy and narcissism.
BLM rioters engage in some “peaceful” protesting.
The New York Post reported:
Current Psychology journal authors Ann Krispenz and Alex Bertrams researched and created a new term to describe the phenomenon: the “dark-ego-vehicle principle.”
Krispenz and Bertrams said in an interview following the publishing of the study:
According to this principle, individuals with dark personalities—such as high narcissistic and psychopathic traits—are attracted to certain forms of political and social activism which they can use as a vehicle to satisfy their own ego-focused needs instead of actually aiming at social justice and equality.
The authors explained that particular forms of activism provide an outlet for people with narcissistic or psychopathic tendencies to seek:
[O]pportunities for positive self-presentation and displays of moral superiority, to gain social status, to dominate others, and to engage in social conflicts and aggression to satisfy their need for thrill seeking.
This, they said, may explain the demented, reckless riots and the great lengths left-wing activists go to to justify their ultimately self-serving beliefs.
The study also showed that many of the subjects did not personally practice the beliefs they fervently push onto everyone else, falling into left-wing authoritarianism (LWA).
The authors said:
An individual high in LWA might declare anyone to be ‘old fashioned’ who is opposing their own ‘progressive values,’ strive to suppress free speech to regulate the expression of right-wing beliefs in educational institutions, and even endorse the use of violence to reach their own political goals.
Activists from wealthier homes also don the guise of interest in social equality and activism in order to further their own selfish interests and validate their perception of themselves.
The authors said:
As grandiose narcissists typically desire fame, distinction, elevated social status and high social importance, they can be assumed to strive for influential positions that involve social visibility and outreach as well as access to financial and other resources.
The authors also made it clear that conservatives sometimes have an authoritarian disposition, but they did not research that because:
[T]here is a wide range of literature and research in the field of right-wing authoritarianism.
They concluded:
However, research on authoritarianism observed in individuals who are supportive of left-wing political ideologies [is] still rare.
Final thoughts, a quick review: Psychopathy is a neuropsychiatric disorder marked by deficient emotional responses, lack of empathy, and poor behavioral controls.
Signs and symptoms of narcissism include: A grandiose sense of self-importance, living in a fantasy world that supports the delusions of grandeur, a need for constant praise and admiration, sense of entitlement, and exploiting others with no guilt or shame.
Granted, we may not be licensed to diagnose, however, have you observed anyone lately demonstrating a preponderance of the above-noted symptoms?
