What qualifies them to be/as a narcissist person.

[Ashraful Haque]

I was talking about a narcissist person and someone asked something like-
"What qualifies them to be/as a narcissist person" / "What makes them qualified to be....."

I can't remember how he said it and tried looking it up but couldn't find it. Please let me know how to say this sentence correctly.

 

[probus]

First of all, narcissist is a noun. The corresponding adjective to modify person is narcissistic.

Secondly, the verb qualify usually implies that the person has made some effort. For example, you qualify as a member of a profession such as doctor, lawyer, translator and so forth. When no effort is involved a better verb would be identify. What are the characteristics that identify some people as narcissists?

 

[Tarheel]

Do you know what a narcissist is?

 

[tedmc]

I was talking about a narcissist person and someone asked something like-
"What qualifies them to be/as a narcissist person" / "What makes them qualified to be....."

I can't remember how he said it and tried looking it up but couldn't find it. Please let me know how to say this sentence correctly.

What makes them a narcissist?
What characterizes them to be a narcissist?

 

[jutfrank]

What do you think makes him a narcissist?
What makes you think he's a narcissist?
In what way is he a narcissist?
By what criteria are you judging him to be a narcissist?
How does he qualify as a narcissist in your eyes?

 

[Ashraful Haque]

Do you know what a narcissist is?

I know a few people who fit the dictionary definition of the word. But I'm still trying to understand this term as much as I can, for some personal reasons of course. I'm planning to get the book 'Toxic Parents' by Craig Buck and Susan Forward.

 

[Ashraful Haque]

First of all, narcissist is a noun. The corresponding adjective to modify person is narcissistic.

Secondly, the verb qualify usually implies that the person has made some effort. For example, you qualify as a member of a profession such as doctor, lawyer, translator and so forth. When no effort is involved a better verb would be identify. What are the characteristics that identify some people as narcissists?

What do you think makes him a narcissist?
What makes you think he's a narcissist?
In what way is he a narcissist?
By what criteria are you judging him to be a narcissist?
How does he qualify as a narcissist in your eyes?

I find these two answers contradictory. Can you please clarify if 'qualify' can be used here?

 

[jutfrank]

Although probus is quite right, there's a more academic use of the verb qualify that is appropriate in this context. If you're thinking of narcissism in the psychiatric sense—as a personality disorder—for someone to qualify as narcissistic on a clinical level, they will have to check a minimum number checkboxes. These checkboxes will describe typical signs and symptoms of the disorder. So another way to ask your question more formally and precisely in academic language would be 'What behavioural signs does the patient exhibit that would qualify him as having narcissistic personality disorder'?

This method of defining and identifying is common in academia—you can't find a proper definition of a word like this in any dictionary—you have to go to the scientific literature. For interest, see the following list:


Signs and symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder and the severity of symptoms vary. People with the disorder can:

• Have an exaggerated sense of self-importance
• Have a sense of entitlement and require constant, excessive admiration
• Expect to be recognized as superior even without achievements that warrant it
• Exaggerate achievements and talents
• Be preoccupied with fantasies about success, power, brilliance, beauty or the perfect mate
• Believe they are superior and can only associate with equally special people
• Monopolize conversations and belittle or look down on people they perceive as inferior
• Expect special favors and unquestioning compliance with their expectations
• Take advantage of others to get what they want
• Have an inability or unwillingness to recognize the needs and feelings of others
• Be envious of others and believe others envy them
• Behave in an arrogant or haughty manner, coming across as conceited, boastful and pretentious
• Insist on having the best of everything — for instance, the best car or office

Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases... disorder — one of,lack of empathy for others.

 

[Tarheel]

I know a few people who fit the dictionary definition of the word. But I'm still trying to understand this term as much as I can, for some personal reasons of course. I'm planning to get the book 'Toxic Parents' by Craig Buck and Susan Forward.

Look at it this way. For a narcissist it's all about him (or her). As the song goes, It's all about me me me. A narcissist thinks he's pretty darn wonderful and doesn't see why you shouldn't think so too.