Collective narcissism as a framework for understanding populism

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Golec de Zavala, Agnieszka and Keenan, Oliver. 2021. Collective narcissism as a framework for understanding populism. Journal of Theoretical Social Psychology, 5(2), pp. 54-64. ISSN 2475-0387 [Article]

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Official URL: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/j...

Abstract or Description

Research on national collective narcissism, the belief and resentment that a nation's exceptionality is not sufficiently recognized by others, provides a theoretical framework for understanding the psychological motivations behind the support for right-wing populism. It bridges the findings regarding the economic and sociocultural conditions implicated in the rise of right-wing populism and the findings regarding leadership processes necessary for it to find its political expression. The conditions are interpreted as producing violations to established expectations regarding self-importance via the gradual repeal of the traditional criteria by which members of hegemonic groups evaluated their self-worth. Populist leaders propagate a social identity organized around the collective narcissistic resentment, enhance it, and propose external explanations for frustration of self and in-group-importance. This garners them a committed followership. Research on collective narcissism indicates that distress resulting from violated expectations regarding self-importance stands behind collective narcissism and its narrow vision of “true” national identity (the people), rejection and hostility toward stigmatized in-group members and out-groups as well as the association between collective narcissism and conspiratorial thinking.

Item Type:

Article

Identification Number (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1002/jts5.69

Additional Information:

Research Funding: Narodowe Centrum Nauki. Grant Number: 2017/26/A/HS6/00647

Keywords:

collective narcissism, right wing populism, violation of expectations regarding self-importance

Departments, Centres and Research Units:

Psychology

Dates: