Collective narcissism has become a virus. That’s how we can define it because it damages, infects and expands easily. Although this does not appear, the search for the exaltation of the group itself at the expense of others is a dynamic that has been given in all ages; vary in intensity and peak at certain historical times, as in Nazi Germany.
It expresses some nostalgia for the existence of a “superior race”. Although, of course, it doesn’t have to be a race. It then depends on any group that shares a common identity element. We can talk about nations, but we can also talk about sports teams or professions.
- It’s very visible in football.
- Collective narcissism prevents some fans from quietly accepting that their team loses to the opposing team; it also leads them to make great demonstrations of power.
- With songs.
- Irritating noises or attitudes seeking intimidation.
? Narcissisme, can’t I believe you don’t have a full-length mirror?David Levithan?
The same goes for countries and nationalist sentiment, there are those who get angry because someone does not like their country, they do not tolerate any criticism of their country and fervently expect their country to be admired by all and outstanding in all circumstances.
Of course, we all want to be proud of our place of origin or the group to which we belong, but when it takes on other dimensions it ceases to be a healthy feeling, sooner or later that feeling will become intolerance and violence. .
What would be the difference between national pride, group pride and collective narcissism?Those who suffer from the virus of collective narcissism do not want to be proud of their group, but want to be superior to others. In essence, insecurity lives in and therefore seeks to reaffirm what others think.
In any human feeling, attitude or behavior where there is an exaggeration, it is more likely that there is also a neurotic symptom. Narcissism is no exception. When built on an individual level, people seem to like to show and display a picture of security, rather than the reality in which they live.
The same is true in groups. It is easier for collective narcissism to flourish in groups where what is most shared is low self-esteem and strong doubts about one’s prestige, so what these people want most is to be recognized by others and not only that: they also want the defeat of others, in the most diverse situations.
A study by the University of Warsaw, Poland, indicated that groups suffering from collective narcissism are generally composed of individuals who have a strong sense of personal insufficiency, the group tries to compensate for this perception of emptiness.
It is common for groups demonstrating collective narcissism to generate authoritarian and often totalitarian leaders; feeling guided by someone who shows no vulnerability, or is in any case extremely strong, gives security to their followers; these leaders generally exploit all these symptoms and therefore vehemently highlight the supposed superiority that exists in group membership, in relation to non-membership.
This topic has been studied by the University of London and concluded that such leaders tend to build conspiracy theories against them, a common enemy can be this piece that will help consolidate their uniformity and union within these groups, narcissism itself makes them fantasize about them. be observed, envied and potentially attacked by others.
Aggression and revenge begin to take on a different meaning in these types of groups, the act of committing acts of violence against those who do not belong to the collective can be seen in a positive way, this can happen especially if the aggression is directed against possible enemy, conspirator or ally. The same goes for revenge, which is no longer seen as an irrational passion or cause harm, but as a legitimate right, supported by the apparent need to defend itself.
Unlike them, groups that have a healthy sense of collective pride have constructive effects, in this case there is greater cohesion and mutual trust, a union that to consolidate itself does not need to belittle others or pass over those who are While reasonable pride is the basis of democracy, collective narcissism is the basis of fascism and its methods of imposition and control.