Stephen Colbert recently spoke about Trump’s narcissism.
Apparently Larry Lindsey hired two psychologists to “evaluate”
Trump. The two psychologists according to Colbert found Trump to
be a “10 out of 10 narcissist.” As someone who actually specialized
in psycho-diagnosis, how it is done vs. should done, this is
completely in error. First off, I don’t know where they get “10 out of
10” and I know without any other knowledge that this cannot be
true. The only way this could be accomplished is if they actually
interviewed Trump one on one privately (and usually confidentially).
The reason why I make a bold statement like this is that part of the
criteria set is the person has to admit to the psychologist, therapist
etc., uncomfortable not being the center of attention most if not all
the time. Therefore, by definition Trump would have to have been
asked personally if this the case that he is uncomfortable not being
the center of attention in MULTIPLE situations. That means at
home at the dinner table, out with friends, and in different settings
than we simply do not see on TV.
I am not denying this may be the case in reality that he meets the
criteria for Narcissistic Personality Disorder. All the evidence I have
seen like you on TV it seems obvious. Yet professionally to make
such a bold statement a personal interview should be conducted. If
an interview is not conducted the psychologists need to indicate
what the diagnosis is made up of. I think we can all guess that
Trump would NEVER do do such and interview and especially with
two separate psychologists.
Reporting how you made a decision is part of our ethical code for
psychologists who are actually seeing or have seen patients. This
can be found in the “Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of
Conduct”, which is free to the public and can be found it in entirety
online. Specifically reporting how you made a diagnosis is found in
section 9.01 Bases for Assessments.
If what Colbert is reporting is a misrepresentation of the
psychologists in question another issue arises. As per section 1.01
of the code a psychologist should reasonably attempt to correct
such misinformation! Read it yourself.
Even if Colbert is being hyperbolic for entertainment the
psychologist should come forward and correct such misinformation.
A down to earth example is if you have read any of my blogs and
state somewhere that Eli Holmes said such and such, and it is
incorrect and it comes to my attention… I should attempt to correct
it.
Psychology & Philosophy 