Narcissistic Defenses and Alienation in the Life of Howard
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NARCISSISTIC DEFENSES AND ALIENATION IN THE LIFE OF HOWARD HUGHES: A CASE STUDY Alida Sandison Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy Psychology in the Department of Psychology School of Behavioural Sciences Faculty of Health Sciences Nelson Mandela University April 2018 Promoter: Prof. L. Stroud i Declaration I, Alida Sandison (student number: 196083100) hereby declare that the thesis for Doctor in Philosophy: Psychology to be awarded is my own work and that it has not previously been submitted for assessment or completion of any postgraduate qualification to another University or for another qualification. ………………………………….. Alida Sandison In accordance with Rule G5.6.3 5.6.3 A treatise/dissertation/thesis must be accompanied by a written declaration on the part of the candidate to the effect that it is his/her own work and that it has not previously been submitted for assessment to another University of for another qualification. However, material from publications by the candidate may be embodied in a treatise/dissertation/thesis. ii Dedication This study is dedicated to my mother. iii Acknowledgements I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation to: My friends, family and colleagues. Thank you for your unwavering support. Particular thanks to Andrea Hurst for walking across ley lines with Howard and me. To my promoter, Louise Stroud. Thank you for your encouragement and wisdom on this journey. iv Biography.com Editors. (2017). Howard Hughes photograph. Licenced under A&E Television Networks on Biography.com v Abstract Narcissism is a personality configuration which has both normal and pathological personality expressions. It is associated with a very broad field of literature and theoretical formulations, put forward to understand it. To add to this knowledge base, the aim of the research was to explore and describe narcissistic defenses and the consequent alienation of others within the narcissistic personality configuration. The aim was attained through the exploration of the life of Howard Hughes, by examining the interplay between Kernberg’s Object Relations Theory (1974; 1975; 1976; 1980; 1984; 1992; 2001) and Hughes’s lived experiences. Hughes was chosen as the subject as he is renowned for being an eccentric billionaire who was revolutionary in his effect on the world, but concurrently disturbed within his personal pathologies. The study took the form of a case study. Data was collected using Yin’s (1994) guidelines for data collection, which include using multiple sources of evidence, creating a case study database, and keeping and maintaining a reliable chain of evidence. Data was furthermore collected and analysed using Miles and Huberman’s (1994) strategy of data analysis which consists of three steps, namely data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing and verification. Research findings confirmed the presence of primitive defense mechanisms associated with the lower level pathologies described by Kernberg within Hughes’ patterns. Findings confirmed the defense mechanisms as alienating others. Learnings produced were presented in a model to be used in clinical practice to support others in interaction with narcissistic individuals. Steps outlined included, understand, decontaminate and reconstruct, reaffirm reality, and find something positive. Key words: Howard Hughes, narcissism, narcissistic defenses, Kernberg’s Object Relations Theory vi Table of Contents Declaration ....................................................................................................................................... i Dedication ....................................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................................ iii Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... v Chapter 1: Introduction, Motivation and Research Format .................................................... 1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1 Motivation for the Study ................................................................................................................. 1 Problem Statement .......................................................................................................................... 2 Knowledge and Knowing ............................................................................................................... 4 Researcher’s View of Narcissism ................................................................................................... 5 Pivotal Constructs ........................................................................................................................... 6 Chapter Outline ............................................................................................................................... 7 Chapter 2: The Case Study Approach and Methodology.........................................................11 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................11 Case Study .....................................................................................................................................11 Narrative and Related Concepts .................................................................................................... 12 Biographical Research ............................................................................................................... 13 Qualitative Research Paradigm and the Case Study Research Design ......................................... 19 Aim and Objectives of the Research ............................................................................................. 22 Research Methodology ................................................................................................................. 22 Qualitative. ............................................................................................................................. 22 Case study. .............................................................................................................................. 23 vii Validity and reliability. ........................................................................................................ 27 Construct validity. ........................................................................................................ 27 Internal validity. ........................................................................................................... 28 External validity. .......................................................................................................... 29 Reliability. .................................................................................................................... 30 Objectivity. ................................................................................................................... 30 Data reduction. ....................................................................................................................... 35 Data display. ........................................................................................................................... 36 Conclusion drawing and verification. .................................................................................... 36 Ethical Considerations .................................................................................................................. 37 Conclusion .................................................................................................................................... 39 Chapter 3: Synopsis of the Life of Howard Hughes ................................................................ 41 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 41 Childhood and Adolescence .......................................................................................................... 41 Young Adulthood .......................................................................................................................... 45 Middle Adulthood ......................................................................................................................... 55 Old Age ......................................................................................................................................... 67 Conclusion .................................................................................................................................... 75 Chapter 4: Personality, Normality, and Narcissism ................................................................. 76 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 76 Personality, Normality, and Abnormality ...................................................................................... 76 Narcissism as a Personality Pattern .............................................................................................. 79 viii DSM Personality Diagnosis. .................................................................................................