National Narcissism: A hidden danger

Question

It might sound strange that an individual may have a collective narcissism or one that applies to how they view things from a national perspective.

Recent research illustrates the defining features of a national narcissist. It’s well known that narcissists feel superior to others and have shallow egos that are easily punctured/threatened.

Research indicates that national narcissists who view their political group, nation, or religion as superior but not appreciated are known as ‘collective narcissism’ (Young, 2022).

Now studies have been performed which indicate that when an individual is high on scales of national narcissism, they are much more willing to act against individuals belonging to the same group. Such actions that individuals assessed for high national narcissism seemed more likely to do include:

Wiretapping citizens

Spread false information

Perform Internet surveillance

Those with high national identification weren’t likely to act against fellow citizens and thus were substantially different from the category of a national narcissist.

In the US more extreme scenarios were imagined and national narcissists again were more likely to act against fellow citizens by carrying out domestic acts of terrorism.

While this work is correlational, still it reveals that narcissistic characteristics may mean an individual being damaging to a group.

References:

Young, E. 'National narcissists are more willing to conspire against their fellow citizens' (2022) 'British Psychological Association' [URL] Available at: https://digest.bps.org.uk/2022/06/27/national-narcissists-are-more-willing-to-conspire-against-their-fellow-citizens/#more-47885 (Date Accessed: 27/06/2022)

M · Accepted Answer

I didn't know about their is a term for it. National narcissism is not only a one country's  problem, every country has their own religious fanatics, supremacists and groups that think they are superior than overs. I think educational campaign can help to solve this problem. What solutions do you think of this problem?

M · Answer

Narrcissit lack basic human decency that's why they do all the evil things. It is like a boost for their egos. I am with you, no matter how hard we try, if people don't want to be healed, we can't heal them. I think proper education and counselling are the only solutions.  We should teach in Schools: Every one is equal and no one is superior.

Daniel Sumner · Answer

This was a new term for me too, but it makes a lot of sense.

It's hard to think of solutions, I suppose the solutions might not be all that different from treating normal narcissism. But I can imagine narcissism is incredibly hard to treat. But yeah, I had no idea about how those with high national narcissism would work against and conspire against their fellow citizens.

Eve Fritz · Answer

I didn't know there was a word for it. Yes, I think there is a solution: We need to teach altruistic values. Even Richard Dawkins agreed it was the only antidote to Selfish and dangerous ideas and behaviors.