Key words: narcissism, motivational systems, categorical psychodiagnosis, dimensional psychodiagnosis
Through a critical examination of most of the literature about narcissism, the Author explains how from the 1970s to nowdays the psychological and sociological concept of narcissism has been reinterpreted and totally distorted in comparison with its original meaning which takes back to the mith of Narcissus and still has an important clinical value. Utilizing the Theory of Motivational Systems and a mind model proposed in previous works, the Author provides an interpretation of mental dynamics which imply both what is erroneously meant by narcissism today and authentic narcissism. In order to make this distinction clearer, he produces some exemplifying clinical cases. Through the treatment of the theme of narcissism, the Author, moreover, hypothesizes the possible passage from the current categorical psychodiagnosis system to a dimensional psychodiagnostic system which, maitaining objective criteria, permits a more comprehensive understanding and description of the unique psychological singleness of each individual.