Narcissism of small differences

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In psychoanalysis, the narcissism of small differences (German: der Narzissmus der kleinen Differenzen) is the idea that the more a relationship or community shares commonalities, the more likely the people in it are to engage in interpersonal feuds and mutual ridicule because of hypersensitivity to minor differences perceived in each other.[1] The term was coined by Sigmund Freud in 1917, based on the earlier work of English anthropologist Ernest Crawley. Crawley theorized that each individual is separated from others by a taboo of personal isolation, which is effectively a narcissism of minor differences.[2]

Usage

The title page of Civilization and Its Discontents, in which Freud developed his theory.

The term appeared in Freud's

Glen O. Gabbard has suggested that Freud's narcissism of small differences provides a framework to understand that in a loving relationship, there can be a need to find, and even exaggerate, differences in order to preserve a feeling of separateness and self.[5]

It has been pointed out that Jonathan Swift in his 1726 novel Gulliver's Travels described this phenomenon when writing about how two groups entered into a long and vicious war after they disagreed on which was the best end to break an egg.[6]

In terms of

Michael Laski, the founder of the Communist Party USA (Marxist–Leninist).[10]

In 2010, author Christopher Hitchens cited the phenomenon when talking about ethno-national conflicts.[11] "In numerous cases of apparently ethno-nationalist conflict, the deepest hatreds are manifested between people who—to most outward appearances—exhibit very few significant distinctions."

See also

References

  1. ^ Sigmund Freud, Civilization, Society and Religion (Penguin Freud Library 12), p. 131 and p. 305
  2. ^ Sigmund Freud, On Sexuality (Penguin Freud Library 7), 1991, p. 272
  3. ^ Freud, Civilization and Its Discontents, p. 305
  4. ^ Roberto Harari, Lacan's Seminar on Anxiety: An Introduction (2001) p. 25
  5. Psychoanalytic Quarterly
    , 62:229–238
  6. ^ Fintan O’Toole Pathological narcissism stymies Fianna Fáil support for Fine Gael, The Irish Times, March 16, 2016
  7. ^ Clive Hazell, Alterity (2009) p. 97
  8. ^ Leopoldo Drago. "Life of Brian – scene 3 – People's front of Judea". Archived from the original on 2021-12-21 – via YouTube.
  9. ^ Emo Philips (29 September 2005). "The best God joke ever - and it's mine!". The Guardian. London. Retrieved Dec 10, 2023.
  10. ^ Paul, Ari (2015-09-02). "Will Socialists Back Bernie? Definitely Maybe". The Observer. Retrieved 2016-09-10.
  11. ISSN 1091-2339
    . Retrieved 2017-09-05.

Further reading
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