Today's episode of The Social Work Journal explores narratives. Deltom theorizes that there are two types of narratives: the narratives we tell ourselves (to justify our behavior or make ourselves feel better) & the narratives we tell others (which are tied to our identity). Throughout this episode, Deltom uses real-life scenarios and references pop-culture to give further context of how narratives are defense mechanisms that cause us to act in a manner that is counterintuitive to our true intentions.

3:45 Our Identity is who we are (we need others to believe "who" we say we are)

5:55 Pleasure Principal (our need to experience pleasure and disregard pain)

7:30 A strong vs. weak ego and our ability to tolerate frustrations

8:00 The overuse of the term "narcissism"

9: 45 Perceived failure (a sense of great loss)

11:15 People are inherently good but behave counterintuitively to their intentions

12:58 Puzzled by projection (Deltom's experience w/the projection defense)

14:52: Reality TV imitates reality (an example of how people use vulnerable/victim narratives as a defense mechanism)

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Ouotes by Deltom:

"People tell themselves the story that makes them feel better"

"I believe that as people we are inherently good and we intend to do good"

"We are likely to empathize with someone when they tell us a traumatic story. That is your first instinct."