ABSTRACT
Collective narcissism predicts opposite attitudes toward equality in historically advantaged and disadvantaged groups. In disadvantaged groups, it predicts egalitarian worldview and rejection of beliefs legitimizing inequality. It also predicts political activism: engagement in or intentions to engage in collective action for advancement of the disadvantaged ingroup. In advantaged groups, it predicts endorsement of beliefs justifying inequality and support for collective action to advance existing privilege, including support for the state's repression of social movements toward equality. National collective narcissism correlates with collective narcissism of advantaged groups more than with collective narcissism of disadvantaged groups. It also predicts the same attitudes toward equality as collective narcissism in advantaged groups. Differentiating collective narcissism of advantaged and disadvantaged groups and national collective narcissism from non-narcissistic aspects of identification clarifies that national collective narcissism and collective narcissism in advantaged groups are obstacles to pursuit of equality and social justice. In contrast, collective narcissism in disadvantaged groups may be an incentive to collective action for equality, but it is associated with danger of radicalization when met with a backlash.
