Re: SoulfulSurvivor - question

The general theory about malignant narcissists who demonstrate what appears to be empathy is that they are parroting what they believe to be appropriate responses by mirroring their source targets.  They are no more empathetic than their source target can be - therefore, if the target is particularly hypersensitive, the narcissist will mirror precisely what they observe the target doing.  They MIRROR their targets, and that's what typically gives them away over time.  Their responses are, in their minds, appropriate and they lack the ability to recognize that their behaviors are completely incongruous with what would be considered acceptable over long-term observation.  

It must be noted that many narcissists DO have the capacity for empathy, but they are typically so self-absorbed that they are not willing to move themselves out of being the center of the Universe.  

Hope that helps, somewhat.  Reading books about personality disorders is fine, but careful observation and comparison is more personal than reading a book, I think.  ;)