Course outline
Module 1
Module 1: Understanding Narcissism
Understanding Narcissism
Knowledge check
Q1. What is a key characteristic of a narcissistic personality?
- A. Empathy and compassion for others
- B. An inflated sense of self-importance ✓
- C. A strong desire to help others
- D. A tendency to be overly humble
Why: Narcissistic individuals often have an exaggerated sense of their own importance and a deep need for admiration.
Q2. Which of the following is NOT typically a trait of someone with narcissistic personality disorder?
- A. Grandiosity
- B. Empathy ✓
- C. Need for admiration
- D. Lack of empathy
Why: Empathy is not typically a trait of someone with narcissistic personality disorder; in fact, they often lack it.
Q3. What is the primary motivation behind a narcissist's actions?
- A. To help others achieve their goals
- B. To maintain their self-image and sense of superiority ✓
- C. To build strong, healthy relationships
- D. To feel guilty about their past actions
Why: Narcissists are primarily motivated by the need to maintain their self-image and a sense of superiority over others.
Q4. How do narcissists typically react to criticism?
- A. They accept it gracefully and use it for growth
- B. They become defensive or aggressive ✓
- C. They ignore it completely
- D. They apologize immediately
Why: Narcissists often react to criticism with defensiveness or aggression, as it threatens their self-image.
Q5. What is a common outcome of a relationship with a narcissist?
- A. Increased self-esteem for both partners
- B. Healthy communication and mutual respect
- C. Emotional turmoil and instability ✓
- D. Strong, lasting commitment
Why: Relationships with narcissists often lead to emotional turmoil and instability due to the narcissist's manipulative and self-centered behaviors.
Module 2
Module 2: The Idealization Phase
Module 3
Module 3: The Devaluation Phase
Module 4
Module 4: The Discard Phase
The Discard Phase
Knowledge check
Q1. What is the primary reason someone might enter the discard phase in a narcissistic relationship?
- A. They want to find a new partner
- B. The narcissist no longer finds the person useful or fulfilling ✓
- C. The person is tired of the relationship
- D. They are seeking revenge
Why: The narcissist often abandons the person when they feel they are no longer serving the narcissist's needs or ego.
Q2. Which of the following is a common emotional response during the discard phase?
- A. Excitement and enthusiasm
- B. Confusion and self-doubt ✓
- C. Anger and aggression
- D. Calmness and acceptance
Why: During the discard phase, the victim often experiences confusion and self-doubt due to the emotional manipulation and gaslighting from the narcissist.
Q3. What is one of the main goals of the narcissist during the discard phase?
- A. To apologize and make amends
- B. To maintain control and power ✓
- C. To form new relationships
- D. To feel guilty
Why: The narcissist aims to maintain control and power, even during the discard phase, often through manipulation and emotional abuse.
Q4. How does the narcissist typically treat the person during the discard phase?
- A. With kindness and support
- B. With indifference or coldness ✓
- C. With affection and love
- D. With encouragement and validation
Why: The narcissist often becomes emotionally distant or cold during the discard phase, showing little to no empathy or concern for the person's well-being.
Q5. What is a common outcome for the victim after the discard phase?
- A. They become more confident and self-assured
- B. They experience a period of emotional recovery and healing ✓
- C. They immediately seek out another narcissistic relationship
- D. They feel empowered and ready to take control of their life
Why: After the discard phase, victims often go through a period of emotional recovery and healing as they process the trauma and begin to rebuild their self-esteem.
Module 5
Module 5: Emotional Manipulation
Emotional Manipulation
Knowledge check
Q1. What is a common tactic used in emotional manipulation during a narcissistic relationship?
- A. Encouraging independence
- B. Gaslighting ✓
- C. Offering genuine support
- D. Being transparent
Why: Gaslighting is a common emotional manipulation tactic where the manipulator makes the victim doubt their own reality.
Q2. Which of the following is a sign that someone is being emotionally manipulated?
- A. Feeling more confident
- B. Increased self-esteem
- C. Feeling confused or doubting oneself ✓
- D. Improved communication
Why: Feeling confused or doubting oneself is a sign of emotional manipulation, as the manipulator often undermines the victim's sense of reality.
Q3. What is the primary goal of emotional manipulation in a narcissistic relationship?
- A. To build trust
- B. To control and dominate the other person ✓
- C. To foster independence
- D. To improve communication
Why: The primary goal of emotional manipulation in a narcissistic relationship is to control and dominate the other person.
Q4. Which of the following is an example of love bombing?
- A. Ignoring the partner for days
- B. Giving excessive attention and affection early in the relationship ✓
- C. Withholding affection as a punishment
- D. Constantly criticizing the partner
Why: Love bombing is when a person gives excessive attention and affection early in the relationship to manipulate and control the other person.
Q5. What is a key characteristic of someone who is emotionally manipulative?
- A. Empathy and understanding
- B. Respect for others' boundaries
- C. A need for control and power over others ✓
- D. Open and honest communication
Why: A key characteristic of someone who is emotionally manipulative is a need for control and power over others.
Module 6
Module 6: Cycle Breakdown and Recovery
Cycle Breakdown and Recovery
Knowledge check
Q1. What is the first stage of the narcissistic relationship cycle?
- A. Idealization ✓
- B. Devaluation
- C. Discard
- D. Reconciliation
Why: The cycle typically begins with idealization, where the narcissist puts their partner on a pedestal.
Q2. During which stage does the narcissist start to see the partner as flawed and begin to criticize them?
- A. Idealization
- B. Devaluation ✓
- C. Discard
- D. Reconciliation
Why: The devaluation stage is when the narcissist starts to see the partner as flawed and begins to criticize them.
Q3. What often happens after the devaluation stage in the narcissistic relationship cycle?
- A. Idealization
- B. Devaluation
- C. Discard ✓
- D. Reconciliation
Why: After devaluation, the narcissist often discards the partner, ending the relationship or pushing them away.
Q4. Which stage involves the narcissist attempting to win the partner back after a breakup?
- A. Idealization
- B. Devaluation
- C. Discard
- D. Reconciliation ✓
Why: The reconciliation stage is when the narcissist may try to win the partner back after a breakup.
Q5. What is a key part of recovery from a narcissistic relationship?
- A. Ignoring the past
- B. Self-reflection and healing ✓
- C. Blaming the narcissist
- D. Returning to the relationship
Why: Self-reflection and healing are essential parts of recovery from a narcissistic relationship.
Module 7
Module 7: Building Healthy Boundaries
Building Healthy Boundaries
Knowledge check
Q1. What is the first step in building healthy boundaries in a relationship?
- A. Ignoring the other person's needs
- B. Identifying your own needs and values ✓
- C. Always giving in to avoid conflict
- D. Blaming the other person for all issues
Why: Identifying your own needs and values is essential to understanding what boundaries you need to set for yourself.
Q2. Which of the following is a characteristic of healthy boundaries?
- A. Being overly critical of others
- B. Respecting your own limits and those of others ✓
- C. Allowing others to control your decisions
- D. Neglecting your own emotional well-being
Why: Respecting your own limits and those of others is a key characteristic of healthy boundaries.
Q3. What should you do if someone violates your boundaries?
- A. Ignore it and hope they stop
- B. Confront them calmly and clearly ✓
- C. Blame them immediately
- D. Let it go without addressing it
Why: Confronting someone calmly and clearly helps to communicate your boundaries and encourage respect.
Q4. Why is it important to communicate your boundaries to others?
- A. To control others
- B. To ensure mutual respect and understanding ✓
- C. To avoid any responsibility
- D. To make others feel guilty
Why: Communicating your boundaries ensures mutual respect and understanding in relationships.
Q5. What is a common consequence of not having healthy boundaries?
- A. Increased self-confidence
- B. Improved relationships
- C. Emotional exhaustion and resentment ✓
- D. Greater independence
Why: Not having healthy boundaries can lead to emotional exhaustion and resentment over time.