Abstract
Previous research has obtained mixed findings as to whether feelings of self‐worth are positively or negatively related to right‐wing ideological beliefs and prejudice. We propose to clarify the link between self‐worth and ideology by distinguishing between narcissistic and non‐narcissistic self‐evaluations as well as between different dimensions of ideological attitudes. Four studies, conducted in three different socio‐political contexts: the UK (Study 1, N = 422), the US (Studies 2 and 3, Ns = 471 and 289, respectively), and Poland (Study 4, N = 775), investigated the associations between narcissistic and non‐narcissistic self‐evaluations, social dominance orientation (SDO), right‐wing authoritarianism (RWA), and ethnic prejudice. Confirming our hypotheses, the results consistently showed that after controlling for self‐esteem, narcissistic self‐evaluation was positively associated with SDO (accounting for RWA), yet negatively associated with RWA (accounting for SDO). These associations were similar after controlling for psychopathy and Machiavellianism (Study 3) as well as collective narcissism and Big Five personality characteristics (Study 4). Studies 2–4 additionally demonstrated that narcissistic self‐evaluation was indirectly positively associated with prejudice through higher SDO (free of RWA) but indirectly negatively associated with prejudice through lower RWA (free of SDO). Implications for understanding the role of self‐evaluation in right‐wing ideological attitudes and prejudice are discussed. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. European Journal of Personality published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Association of Personality Psychology
Highlights
Starting with the classic work of Adorno, Frenkel-Brunswik, Levinson, and Sanford (1950), social scientists have sought to understand the links between socio-political and intergroup attitudes and personality predispositions
We examine how narcissistic versus non-narcissistic self-evaluations are related to the dispositional key dimensions underpinning right-wing belief systems: (i) acceptance of inequality—with social dominance orientation (SDO) as a typical indicator of this dimension, and (ii) maintenance of tradition and resistance to change—with right-wing authoritarianism (RWA) as a typical indicator of this dimension (e.g. Altemeyer, 1998; Duckitt, 2001; Jost et al, 2003)
The zero-order correlations showed that narcissism was significantly positively correlated with SDO and prejudice, but was not significantly correlated with rightwing authoritarianism (RWA)
Summary
Starting with the classic work of Adorno, Frenkel-Brunswik, Levinson, and Sanford (1950), social scientists have sought to understand the links between socio-political and intergroup attitudes and personality predispositions (see Cichocka & Dhont, in press; Duckitt & Sibley, 2010; Hodson & Dhont, 2015; Jost, Glaser, Kruglanski, & Sulloway, 2003; for reviews). Several scholars have theorized that low feelings of self-worth should be compensated by authoritarian attitudes, linked to right-wing ideological inclinations and intolerance of others (Abrams & Hogg, 1988; Adorno et al, 1950; Sniderman & Citrin, 1971; Wilson, 1973). Previous theorizing in the study of political ideology has suggested that stronger endorsement of right-wing attitudes is linked to lower self-evaluation (Jost et al, 2003; Sniderman & Citrin, 1971; Wilson, 1973). It is possible that the nature of this relation is more complex than it was originally presumed
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