This paper places recent theoretical conceptualizations of narcissism in the context of general psychoanalytic theory. It traces the major changes in the general theory that have relevance for the concept of narcissism. The literature review is organized to examine the concept of narcissism as it relates to drive theory, ego-ideal development and function, the concept of self-esteem, and self- and object relations. Remaining inconsistencies and disagreements between major theoreticians are clarified and areas of conceptual consensus

are identified. An overview of the various theories of narcissism is presented with a suggestion for their possible synthesis and integration into the general psychoanalytic theory.