A recent study published in The Journal of Social Psychology has revealed a provocative link between national narcissism and emotional impairments, echoing global worries about rising divisiveness and prejudice. Individuals exhibiting high national narcissism—an extreme form of national pride characterized by a hunger for recognition and hypersensitivity to criticism—show diminished ability to understand both their own and others’ emotions. The research also connects these emotional deficits to increased tendencies toward dehumanization, affecting perceptions of both outsiders and fellow citizens within their own nation (PsyPost).
The implications of this finding resonate well beyond the academic world, touching the core of social harmony and national unity in societies such as Thailand, where peaceful co-existence is highly valued. As Thai social dynamics continue to be shaped by complex currents of nationalism, understanding the emotional roots of nationalistic hostility becomes crucial for educators, policymakers, and citizens alike. With global migration, political polarization, and debate over national identity in the spotlight, the study’s insights offer both warning and hope for fostering a more emotionally intelligent and cohesive society.
According to the study, national narcissism is distinct from healthy national pride. While national pride, or “national identity,” reflects a secure sense of belonging and appreciation for one’s country, national narcissism involves an inflated view of national greatness, a demand for special treatment, and a constant sense of grievance or threat. People high in this form of identification feel their country is misunderstood and are perpetually on guard against perceived slights. Past research has associated national narcissism with conspiracy beliefs, prejudice, and hostility toward outsiders, but this new study probes deeper, investigating the emotional processes that underly such attitudes.
Researchers in Poland examined the phenomenon through a series of four well-structured studies. They relied on self-report surveys, emotional recognition tasks, and week-long diary entries to query participants about their emotional awareness, emotional reactivity, and ability to read emotions in others’ faces. By sampling over 1,500 Polish adults from various demographic backgrounds, the team ensured a robust dataset for analyzing both general population trends and more nuanced individual differences.
The initial findings indicated that those with higher national narcissism struggle to recognize and describe their own emotions—a condition known as alexithymia. This effect remained significant even after controlling for general national pride, demonstrating that it is not “love for country” driving the emotional impairment, but rather its defensive, narcissistic variant.
Subsequent studies uncovered further troubling patterns. Participants high in national narcissism reported more frequent experiences of antagonistic emotions such as anger, contempt, and disgust, which are typically oriented toward confrontation or withdrawal. These individuals also showed heightened sensitivity to surprise and fear—signals that may reflect hypervigilance and a sense of ongoing threat. Meanwhile, participants who scored high in secure national identity but low in narcissism tended to experience more positive emotions, like joy and interest, and significantly less contempt or disgust.
Arguably, the most socially significant findings come from the final study, which incorporated a representative national sample and added an experimental twist. Participants were asked to identify facial emotions from standardized photo sets, believing the subjects depicted were either from their own group (Poles) or various out-groups (including Jews, LGBTQ+ people, Russians, and Ukrainians). Those ranked high in national narcissism consistently performed worse at emotion recognition, regardless of the group being assessed. Simultaneously, this group also exhibited greater levels of dehumanization toward both in-group and out-group members—a particularly sobering result, as it suggests national narcissism can erode empathy even toward fellow citizens.
Further analysis revealed that difficulty in recognizing emotions partly explained the link between national narcissism and dehumanization. This means that people with high national narcissism are more likely to see others as “less than fully human” in part because they literally cannot pick up on the emotional cues that signal common humanity. Unable to read neutral or friendly expressions accurately, they are prone to interpret ambiguity as threat, scorn, or disrespect, leading to antagonism and social division.
Expert commentary highlights how these emotional trends can stoke nationalistic hostility. “When individuals are unable to recognize emotions in others, they may misinterpret nonverbal cues as hostile or mocking, which can trigger defensive reactions such as anger or contempt,” the study’s authors note. This dynamic, researchers say, facilitates dehumanization and derogation, creating fertile ground for prejudice and group conflict (PsyPost).
The study’s limitations are worth noting for Thai readers and policymakers considering its application to local context. All participants were Polish, and most measures relied on self-reported data, which can be biased. The study’s observational design can show associations but cannot confirm causality. However, the findings are supported by rigorous methodology, and the emotional processes identified are relevant to any society grappling with rising nationalist sentiment.
To bring this study closer to Thailand, consider the notable pride in the nation’s cultural heritage and the deeply rooted value placed on sanuk (enjoyment) and sabai (well-being), alongside frequent calls for unity, peace, and respect for diverse communities. Thailand, like many countries in the region, has seen fluctuating waves of nationalism—as observed in heated debates over school curricula, official language, or interpretations of history. This research may offer useful clues for understanding why public dialogue sometimes slides from healthy patriotism into hostility or suspicion, especially when emotions run high and groups feel misunderstood.
In the past, Thai educators and mental health professionals have advocated for greater emotional intelligence among children and adults, promoting self-awareness and empathy as core competencies for a tolerant society. The study offers scientific support for such interventions, suggesting that boosting emotion recognition and emotional literacy could mitigate the risks associated with defensive, narcissistic nationalism.
It also raises thought-provoking questions about the impact of media, education, and public messaging on collective emotional health. Thai teachers, government officials, and civil society leaders have long stressed the importance of kreng jai (consideration for others) and mai pen rai (a forgiving, let-it-be attitude) as social lubricants. Yet, when stress, uncertainty, or political polarization mounts, even these values can fray. According to the findings, enhancing citizens’ ability to understand and empathize with the feelings of others—whether in classrooms, workplaces, or online spaces—might be one of the most effective tools for sustaining social cohesion.
Looking ahead, the authors of the Polish study call for experimental trials involving emotional intelligence training. Interventions might include structured school programs, community workshops, or technology-based training that helps people better identify, label, and respond to emotions in themselves and others. There is already international evidence that such training can improve social functioning and lower prejudice (Frontiers in Psychology), suggesting relevance for Thai society, where bridging divides between regions, ethnic groups, or political camps remains an ongoing challenge.
For the public, the practical lesson is clear: developing emotional awareness is more than a matter of personal well-being. In an interconnected Thailand—marked by increasing diversity, rapid urbanization, and vibrant digital discourse—empathic understanding is a vital ingredient for national harmony. As Thailand navigates its path on the world stage, citizens are encouraged to promote and practice emotional intelligence at every level, from family homes to the halls of Parliament.
To do so, Thais can draw on the nation’s strong tradition of mindfulness, compassion, and social respect. Individual efforts, coupled with policy support for emotional education in schools and social campaigns that emphasize empathetic engagement, could go a long way in counteracting the perils of defensive nationalism. As evidenced by the new study, the ability to listen, recognize, and humanize others—regardless of background or belief—is what truly strengthens the social fabric.
For those interested in digging deeper, the full article is available at PsyPost, while policy-minded readers may wish to review other international research on emotional intelligence and social cohesion (Frontiers in Psychology). As societies everywhere ponder their futures, Thailand’s ongoing investment in emotional education and community outreach may yet prove an example for the region.