(In pathological narcissism) A confabulated persona presented to the outer world in order to secure admiration, adulation, and attention. The False Self is omniscient, omnipotent, brilliant, and perfect. It has many psychological functions.
The two most important are:
1. It serves as a decoy, it "attracts the
fire". It is a proxy for the True Self. It is tough as nails and can absorb any amount of pain, hurt and negative emotions. By inventing it, the
child develops immunity to the indifference, manipulation, sadism, smothering, or exploitation – in short: to the abuse – inflicted on him by his
parents (or by other Primary Objects in his life). It is a cloak, protecting him, rendering him invisible and omnipotent at the same
time.
2. The False Self is misrepresented by the
narcissist as his True Self. The
narcissist is saying, in effect: "I am not who you think I am. I am someone else. I am this (False) Self. Therefore, I deserve a better, painless, more considerate treatment." The False Self, thus, is a contraption intended to alter other people's behaviour and attitude towards the narcissist.
- This
guy creeps me out. He is so
vain, artificial, and a know-it-all!
- It's merely his
False Self. Deep inside he is even worse!