A new study in The Journal of Social Psychology links national narcissism to emotional impairment, showing that people with inflated pride in their country struggle to recognize their own emotions and the emotions of others. This emotional gap is connected to a greater tendency to dehumanize others, including fellow citizens and outsiders.
The findings resonate beyond academia. In Thailand, where social harmony and peaceful coexistence are valued, understanding the emotional roots of nationalist attitudes can guide educators, policymakers, and communities. As debates over identity and global migration continue, these insights support efforts to nurture emotionally intelligent and cohesive societies.
National narcissism differs from healthy national pride. A secure national identity reflects belonging and appreciation for one’s country, while national narcissism involves an inflated sense of national greatness, a demand for special treatment, and a persistent grievance. Those high in this orientation often feel misunderstood and remain vigilant against perceived slights. Prior work has linked national narcissism to conspiracy beliefs, prejudice, and hostility toward outsiders; the current study delves deeper into the emotional mechanisms.
Researchers conducted four studies with more than 1,500 Polish adults, employing self-report surveys, emotion-recognition tasks, and week-long diaries to gauge emotional awareness and reactivity. The data aimed to capture broad trends and individual differences.
Early results show that higher national narcissism correlates with alexithymia—the difficulty in identifying and describing one’s own emotions. This effect persisted even after accounting for general national pride, indicating that the impairment stems from the defensive, narcissistic form rather than patriotic sentiment.
Further analyses reveal more concerning patterns. Participants high in national narcissism reported frequent antagonistic emotions such as anger, contempt, and disgust, often linked to confrontation or withdrawal. They also showed heightened sensitivity to surprise and fear, signaling hypervigilance and perceived threat. In contrast, individuals with secure national identity and low narcissism tended to experience positive emotions like joy and curiosity, with less contempt or disgust.
The most socially significant findings emerged in the final study, which used a representative national sample and an experimental twist. Participants identified facial emotions in photos of people from their own group or from out-groups, including minority groups. Those scoring high in national narcissism consistently performed worse at recognizing emotions, regardless of group, and displayed higher levels of dehumanization toward both in-group and out-group members, underscoring how narcissistic nationalism can dampen empathy.
Further analysis suggests that difficulty in recognizing emotions partly explains the link between national narcissism and dehumanization. Individuals with high national narcissism tend to view others as less than fully human because they miss emotional signals that signal shared humanity. Misreading neutral or friendly expressions can lead to interpretations of threat, disdain, or disrespect, fueling antagonism and social division.
Experts warn that these emotional trends can fuel nationalist hostility. When people cannot read others’ emotions, they may misinterpret cues as hostile, triggering defensive anger or contempt. This dynamic fosters dehumanization and prejudice, creating fertile ground for group conflict.
Thai readers should note the study’s limitations. All participants were Polish, and many measures relied on self-reporting, which can introduce bias. The observational design shows associations but cannot prove causality. Nevertheless, the methodology is rigorous, and the identified emotional processes are relevant to societies grappling with rising nationalist sentiment, including Thailand.
To relate these insights to Thailand, consider the country’s pride in cultural heritage and core values such as sanuk (enjoyment) and sabai (well-being), alongside calls for unity, peace, and respect for diverse communities. Nationalistic debates appear in education, language, and historical interpretation, and this research offers clues about why public dialogue can shift from healthy patriotism to hostility when emotions run high.
Thai educators and mental health professionals have long championed emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and empathy as foundations for a tolerant society. This study provides scientific backing for interventions that boost emotion recognition and literacy, potentially reducing defensiveness and social fracture.
The media, education, and public messaging can also influence collective emotional health. Values like kreng jai (consideration for others) and mai pen rai (carefreeness) are social lubricants in Thai life, but stress and polarization can strain them. The findings suggest that improving citizens’ ability to understand and respond to others’ emotions—at school, work, and online—could strengthen social cohesion.
Looking ahead, researchers encourage trials of emotional intelligence training. School programs, community workshops, and technology-based training that help people label and respond to emotions may improve social functioning and reduce prejudice. This aligns with international evidence supporting emotion-recognition training as a tool for healthier social interaction, and it holds relevance for a Thai context facing regional diversity and political discourse.
For the public, the takeaway is practical: cultivating emotional awareness benefits national harmony in an increasingly interconnected Thailand. As the country navigates diversity, urbanization, and digital dialogue, empathy becomes a key ingredient for unity. Citizens are encouraged to practice listening, recognizing, and humanizing others, regardless of background or belief.
Thailand’s strong traditions of mindfulness and social respect can bolster these efforts. Individual work, alongside school-based emotional education and community programs promoting empathetic engagement, could counteract the risks of defensive nationalism. The ability to understand and connect with others is a powerful asset for strengthening social fabrics.
Readers seeking deeper insight can explore broader literature on emotional intelligence and social cohesion, including related international research. As societies worldwide reflect on their futures, Thailand’s focus on emotional learning and community outreach may serve as a regional example.