Narcissism of Science Denial

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Golec de Zavala, Agnieszka. 2025. Narcissism of Science Denial. Journal of Social Issues, 81(1), e70000. ISSN 0022-4537 [Article]

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Official URL: https://spssi.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

Abstract or Description

Amid historically low societal trust in science, four cross-sectional studies (N = 3856) reveal a link between generic science denial and national narcissism. The findings support the pre-registered hypotheses that (1) national narcissism (a desire for national recognition) and ingroup satisfaction (pride in national value) have opposite unique associations with science denial (rejection of scientific consensus and generalized suspicion toward scientific experts) and (2) opposite indirect associations with specific outcomes of science denial during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond (climate change denial, anti-vaccination attitude, and support for unregulated “alternative” medicine). After their common variance is controlled, national narcissism is positively associated with generic science denial and its outcomes, while national ingroup satisfaction is associated negatively. National narcissism was the strongest predictor of science denial, surpassing other established predictors such as low education and political conservatism. Studies 1 and 2 showed additionally, that vulnerable narcissistic personality was the second strongest predictor of generic science denial, demonstrating for the first time, that the narcissistic need to be recognized as better than others underlies generic science denial.

Item Type:

Article

Identification Number (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1111/josi.70000

Data Access Statement:

All datasets and codes for analyses can be found at: https://osf.io/2mtdw/ ?view_only=4cc18cc60c26472cadfe183e53cf1208

Keywords:

anti-vaccination, climate change denial, COVID-19, collective narcissism, generic science denial, ingroup satisfaction, narcissistic personality

Departments, Centres and Research Units:

Psychology

Dates: