Narcissistic object choice

A narcissitic object choice occurs where a person chooses to invest libido in a relationship to serve there own narcissistic motives. They may choose a very compliant, submissive partner who will enable them to maintain their narcissitic position and protect them from narcisstic injury. They may also be inclined to choose people like themselves in order to minimize the chances of a challenge to their world view.

To some degree this may be seen as a "normal" process, but when carried to extremes can maintain people in a position where they have difficulties due to the level of clinical narcissim.