Maslow and Evolution

• EVOLUTIONARY CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY by DOUG MACKIE, CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST, 3/25/97
  • More about ECP/Clinical Sociobiology by James Brody, 3/27/97
    • Evolution of Competition: Some Intrapsychic Correlates? by Mark Waugh, 4/2/97
      
      

Mark, Good Point. I think one thing your missing in your comparison is what gives rise to agonistic behavior vs prestige oriented behavior. Your linking these two "behaviors"or concepts together within the narcissitic personality makes sense however, I think the true narcissist would utilize whatever type of behavior that was necessary to sustain s/he's feelings of superiority. In addition, I think that "brute force" vs "smoozing" (lets reduce both terms to the lowest common denominator) is at least in part contingent on the situation (situationally specific). Overlaying Maslows needs hierarchy on your two forms of behavior you may find that varient responses would be expected depending upon what level of need is being addressed. For example, at the actualization level one might easily use primarily a "smoozing" method to sustain or enhance s/he status. Yet, if ones basic safety and security needs are involved one might expect a reaction that is more "brute force" in nature. I think that if you use a continuim rather than a trait based perspective it may be more enlightening. I think when you overlay the personality pathology of narcissism on top of the two types of behaviors (agonistic/prestige) you are basically dealing with two methods springing from the same motivation. For example, if you have a narcissist who utilizes "smoozing" to fullfill his or her needs and that approach no longer sustains his or her narcissistic needs you may find that he/she falls back on more base forms of behavior to fill in the void(domination,manipulation,intimadation etc.) I do think you are on to something here and would hope you respond to my input.........................Ed

No Replies