Narcissism Glossary
Warmth and coldness on no schedule (intermittent reinforcement)
🎰 A reinforcement pattern that dispenses reward — affection, tenderness — on an unpredictable schedule, until the other person craves it enough to keep enduring mistreatment.
Never knowing when the warmth returns, you wait desperately for the old good moments — and keep enduring in the meantime.
Never knowing when the warmth returns, you wait desperately for the old good moments — and keep enduring in the meantime.
Often seen in situations like these
🎢 Weeks of cold, then one day of dazzling warmth.
💭 You think, 'this is who they really are — it can be good again,' and endure the hard stretch waiting for the next warm moment.
💭 You think, 'this is who they really are — it can be good again,' and endure the hard stretch waiting for the next warm moment.
When this happens, try this
💡 Rare droplets of tenderness and steady respect are different things. Quietly weigh whether this relationship settles you — or keeps you forever watchful, waiting.