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. 2023 Apr;49(4):612-626.
doi: 10.1177/01461672221074790. Epub 2022 Feb 22.

A Small Price to Pay: National Narcissism Predicts Readiness to Sacrifice In-Group Members to Defend the In-Group's Image

Bjarki Gronfeldt  1 , Aleksandra Cislak  2 , Anni Sternisko  3 , Irem Eker  1   4 , Aleksandra Cichocka  1
Affiliations

A Small Price to Pay: National Narcissism Predicts Readiness to Sacrifice In-Group Members to Defend the In-Group's Image

Bjarki Gronfeldt et al. Pers Soc Psychol Bull. 2023 Apr.

Abstract

Collective narcissism is a belief in one's in-group greatness that is underappreciated by others. Across three studies conducted in the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, we found that collective narcissism, measured with respect to the national group, was related to support of policies that protect the national image at the expense of in-group members' health. In Study 1, British national narcissism was related to opposing cooperation with the European Union (EU) on medical equipment. In Study 2, American national narcissism predicted opposition to COVID-19 testing to downplay the number of cases. In Study 3, American national narcissism was related to support for releasing an untested COVID-19 vaccine, to beat other countries to the punch. These relationships were mediated by concern about the country's reputation. Our studies shed light on collective narcissism as a group-based ego-enhancement strategy in which a strong image of the group is prioritized over members' well-being.

Keywords: COVID-19; collective narcissism; group reputation; national identification.

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Conflict of interest statement

The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Group reputation concern as a mediator of the relationship between national narcissism and the dependent variables. Note. Entries are standardized coefficients. Covariates in the model are national identification, satisfaction with Johnson, and ideology. *p < .05. **p < .01. ***p < .001.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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