When the Nation is Too Important to You. Collective Narcissism Mediates the Relationship Between National Identity Centrality and Negative Intergroup Outcomes

Research on collective narcissism has overlooked the complex nature of identification, treating national collective narcissism as an alternative rather than a consequence of national identification. In four studies (n = 974, n = 1016, n = 111, and n = 210), we thoroughly examined the relations of three dimensions of national identification, national collective narcissism and negative intergroup phenomena. We proposed that national collective narcissism should be considered more as a result of the high centrality of national identity rather than an alternative form of identification, whereas strength of ties should have positive outcomes. Our results revealed that national collective narcissism mediates the relationship between centrality and negative intergroup phenomena. In two experiments, we provided evidence that national collective narcissism is a consequence of high centrality of national identity. Our findings suggest a need to reconsider the perspectives on national identification and national collective narcissism.