Intermittent Reinforcement is when a narcissist creates fear in the victim of losing the relationship during the devaluationGradually, the target begins to see bright red flags that indicate a problem in this More phase, but then relieves it periodically with episodes of love and attention. Intermittent reinforcement is a pattern of cruel, callous treatment mixed in with random bursts of affection. The abuser hands out “rewards” such as affection, a compliment, or gifts sporadically and unpredictably throughout the abuse cycle. Intermittent reinforcement causes the victim to perpetually seek the abuser’s approval while settling for the crumbs of their occasional positive behavior, in the hopes that the abuser will return to the idealizationIn the beginning of a romantic relationship with a narcissist, a victim may describe the initial infatuation More phase of the relationship. Like a gambler at a slot machine, victims are unwittingly “hooked” to play the game for a potential win, despite the massive losses.