The Narcissist's Top 9 Secret Grooming Techniques Revealed

During the love-bombing phase, the narcissist engages in “data mining,” gathering information about the target. This information is used in two ways: to further mirror the target’s desires and to exploit them later if needed, whether to regain control or to manipulate the relationship dynamics.

4. Faking Empathy

High-spectrum narcissists lack genuine empathy but are aware of its importance in building relationships. They skillfully fake empathy to enhance their disguise, making the target believe they’ve met a compassionate and caring person. This false display of empathy reinforces the soulmate illusion.

5. Future Faking

Future faking involves the narcissist painting an idealized vision of a future together, tailored to the target’s desires. This vision is built on lies, designed solely to trap the target under their influence. The narcissist has no intention of fulfilling these promises.

6. Intermittent Reinforcement

As the relationship progresses, love bombing becomes less frequent and is replaced with cycles of devaluation. This creates a pattern of “intermittent reinforcement,” where periods of kindness are interspersed with cruelty. The resulting trauma bond traps the target in an addictive cycle, reinforced by confusion and cognitive dissonance about the narcissist’s true nature.