Outgroup attitudes, personality and support for secessionist movements: IWAH and collective narcissism predict support for Scottish independence

Abstract

Attitudes toward secession are studied across disciplines yet remain under-researched in the field of personality psychology. The present study (N = 430) examined xenophobia, identification with all humanity (IWAH) and 4 personality traits (universalism-tolerance, openness, right-wing authoritarianism, collective narcissism) in relation to attitudes toward Scottish independence. IWAH was a predictor of support for independence, while xenophobia and right-wing authoritarianism were predictors of less favourable attitudes to independence. These findings complemented previous research linking support for secessionist movements with non-nativist thinking and personality traits such as agreeableness and extraversion. Collective narcissism was the strongest predictor of support for Scottish independence, hinting at a narcissistic distortion in secessionist thinking that invites further research.