Needs and Motivations Underlying Collective Narcissism and In-group Identification

Abstract

Collective narcissism reflects a belief in the greatness of one's in-group requiring recognition from other groups and has been linked to outgroup hostility, while in-group identification free of collective narcissism (secure in-group identity) has been linked to positive attitudes. Since the underpinning mechanisms of either are less well understood, this project investigates the needs and motives underlying each form of in-group identity. Chapter 1 suggests that while collective narcissism is likely to emanate from thwarted personal needs, secure in-group identity might be rooted in satisfied needs. The empirical chapters (chapters 2-4) examine individual and group needs as well as different types of motivations as psychological mechanisms underlying collective narcissism versus secure in-group identity. Studies 1-4 (Chapter 2), testing relationships between the need to belong and collective narcissism and secure in-group identity, yielded non-significant results. In the longitudinal Study 5 (Chapter 3), frustrated competence and dissatisfaction with personal relationships predicted higher collective narcissism over time. Satisfied personal autonomy and less competence frustration predicted higher secure in-group identity over time. In Study 6 (Chapter 3), frustrated group needs were related to higher collective narcissism both among advantaged and disadvantaged groups. Chapter 4 builds on self-determination theory and literature on religious orientations to examine types of motivations associated with the two types of in-group identity. In Studies 7, 8, and 10, self-determined motivations were associated with secure in-group identity whereas non-self-determined motivations were related to collective narcissism. In Studies 9 and 10, while intrinsic religiosity was associated with both collective narcissism and secure in-group identity, extrinsic religiosity was related to collective narcissism only. I conclude in Chapter 5. This dissertation provides evidence that frustrated needs and non-self-determined motives to identify are associated with collective narcissism while less frustrated needs and self-determined motives to identify are related to a more secure in-group identity.