Us Versus Them: Generational Conflict Through The Lens of Collective Narcissism

Abstract

This article examines the relationship between generational (collective) narcissism (vs. identification with one's generation) and attitudes towards different generational groups. We hypothesized that generational narcissism (but not generational identification per se) would be positively associated with the dehumanization of generational out-groups and generational in-group. This hypothesis was tested in two studies conducted among Polish and British participants. Study 1 (N = 402) showed that generational narcissism predicted higher dehumanization of out-groups (i.e., younger and older generations). In Study 2 (N = 799), we extended these findings with a two-wave longitudinal design, demonstrating that generational narcissism exerted a positive overtime effect on both out-group (but only younger, and not older, generation) and in-group (i.e., own generation) dehumanization. Additionally, we found partially contrasting results for generational identification, which predicted a decrease in time of both out-group (but only older, and not younger, generation) and in-group (i.e., own generation) dehumanization. Our work adds to the discussion on today's polarisation between generations and underlines the potential contributing role of collective narcissism in intensifying generational conflict.