Psychopath’s Flying Monkeys Unlike Narcissist’s

Understanding Narcissistic and Psychopathic Flying Monkeys

Flying monkeys are a well-known concept in psychology, often associated with narcissists and psychopaths. But what exactly are flying monkeys, and how do they differ when used by narcissists versus psychopaths? Sam Vaknin, a renowned psychology professor and author of Malignant Self-Love, sheds light on this intriguing topic by explaining their roles, motivations, and psychological dynamics.

What Are Flying Monkeys?

The term “flying monkeys” is popularly believed to originate from The Wizard of Oz, but Vaknin challenges this common misconception, stating that the phrase doesn’t actually appear in the book. Instead, the term has evolved in modern psychology to describe the people who act as extensions or enforcers for narcissists or psychopaths, carrying out their bidding, often unknowingly.

Narcissistic Flying Monkeys: Protectors of the False Self

The Narcissist’s Inflated Self-Concept

Narcissists possess a grandiose, inflated self-concept that they fiercely protect. This self-concept includes their self-esteem, self-confidence, self-worth, and self-image—elements that Freud once referred to as the ego ideal. For narcissists, this grandiose self is essentially a fabricated narrative, a fragile fantasy that masks deep insecurity and vulnerability.

Hypervigilance and Defensive Mechanisms

Narcissists are constantly on guard, always scanning their environment for perceived threats to their self-image. This hypervigilance leads to defensive and aggressive behaviors whenever their self-concept is challenged, criticized, or undermined.

The Role of Flying Monkeys in Narcissistic Supply

Flying monkeys serve as tools to bolster the narcissist’s false self. They are recruited to either devalue the source of criticism or reassure the narcissist by participating in a shared fantasy where the narcissist remains superior, perfect, and infallible. These flying monkeys act as a defensive firewall, isolating the narcissist from reality and any dissenting voices.

Narcissist’s Need for Attention and Supply

Narcissists are fundamentally driven by the need for narcissistic supply, which can be positive or negative attention that sustains their grandiose self-image. Money, power, and trophy relationships are valued only insofar as they provide this supply. Flying monkeys are another form of narcissistic supply, used to maintain and restore the narcissist’s self-esteem.

Cult Dynamics of Narcissistic Flying Monkeys

The network of flying monkeys around a narcissist often functions like a cult. Members are recruited and manipulated to support the narcissist’s inflated self-concept, reinforcing victimhood narratives, self-sacrifice, and a false sense of justice or saviorhood. These flying monkeys help the narcissist avoid facing failure or reality.

Psychopathic Flying Monkeys: Tools for Goal-Oriented Manipulation

The Psychopath’s Reality-Based Agenda

Unlike narcissists, psychopaths are grounded in reality and driven by clear, purposeful goals such as acquiring power, money, sex, or eliminating rivals. Their manipulation is strategic and calculated rather than emotional.

The Psychopath’s Use of Flying Monkeys

Psychopaths use flying monkeys as instruments to achieve specific objectives. These may include convincing others to part with money, exacting revenge, punishing enemies, or expanding their influence through networks of patronage and loyalty.

Cold Empathy and Plausible Deniability

Psychopaths possess cold empathy, enabling them to understand and manipulate others without emotional involvement. They maintain distance from the actions of their flying monkeys to preserve plausible deniability, unlike narcissists who are deeply involved in directing their flying monkeys.

Psychopathic Injury vs Narcissistic Injury

When a psychopath’s goals are thwarted, they experience psychopathic injury, which is frustration in achieving objectives. In contrast, narcissistic injury involves a threat to the narcissist’s false self and self-image, leading to emotional distress and defensive aggression.

The Psychopath’s Cult: Goal Achievement

The psychopath’s network of flying monkeys is more pragmatic—a collaborative effort to accomplish objectives and gain tangible benefits. Their “cult” focuses on shared goals rather than self-aggrandizement.

Comparing Narcissistic and Psychopathic Flying Monkeys

The Psychological Impact of Flying Monkeys

Flying monkeys contribute significantly to the manipulative power of narcissists and psychopaths. For victims, they represent an extended web of psychological control, often leading to isolation, gaslighting, and sustained emotional abuse.

Why People Become Flying Monkeys

Individuals may become flying monkeys out of loyalty, manipulation, fear, or unawareness. Narcissists often cultivate flying monkeys through shared fantasies and emotional appeals, while psychopaths use strategic incentives and intimidation.

Recognizing and Breaking Free

Understanding the distinct motivations and behaviors of narcissistic and psychopathic flying monkeys is crucial to recognizing manipulation. Awareness empowers victims and bystanders to resist recruitment into these toxic networks.

Conclusion: Distinguishing Between Narcissistic and Psychopathic Flying Monkeys

While narcissistic and psychopathic flying monkeys fulfill similar roles as enforcers and manipulators, the underlying motivations and dynamics differ significantly. Narcissistic flying monkeys aim to uphold a fragile, grandiose self, fueling a cult of self-aggrandizement and victimhood. Psychopathic flying monkeys operate within a cold, goal-oriented framework designed to achieve tangible objectives with ruthless efficiency.

Sam Vaknin’s insights reveal that despite surface similarities, these two types of flying monkey networks represent fundamentally different psychological mechanisms. Recognizing these differences enhances our ability to identify, understand, and protect ourselves from manipulative dynamics in interpersonal and organizational relationships.

FAQ

What exactly are flying monkeys in psychological terms?

Flying monkeys are individuals who act on behalf of narcissists or psychopaths to enforce their will, manipulate others, and protect or advance their agenda.

How can you tell if someone is a flying monkey?

Flying monkeys often defend, rationalize, or support the manipulator’s narrative, sometimes aggressively. They may isolate victims or spread misinformation.

Can flying monkeys be aware of their role?

Some are unwitting participants manipulated through emotional appeals or misinformation, while others knowingly collaborate for personal gain or fear.

How do narcissistic and psychopathic flying monkeys differ?

Narcissistic flying monkeys support a fragile self-image and shared fantasy, while psychopathic flying monkeys pursue concrete goals and maintain plausible deniability for the manipulator.

What should victims do if they suspect they are dealing with flying monkeys?

Seek professional support, set boundaries, and avoid engaging in the manipulator’s narratives. Awareness and distancing are key to breaking free from their influence.

This blog post provides a comprehensive understanding of the roles, motivations, and psychological underpinnings of narcissistic and psychopathic flying monkeys, helping readers identify and navigate these complex manipulative dynamics.