Let's talk about a problem in Mormon communities that creates one of the greatest obstacles to change and progress: collective narcissism. 🧵⬇️
Collective narcissism refers to exaggerated perceptions of the greatness of one’s social group (be it nation, ethnicity, religion, etc.) and a conviction that it is not sufficiently appreciated by others.
Collective narcissism is characterized by heightened sensitivity to in-group criticism or the lack of recognition from others, stemming from a compulsion to proclaim in-group worth.
It is also a predictor of out-group hostility, especially in the context of perceived threats to the in-group’s status. Collective narcissists are prone to conspiracy beliefs, especially concerning narratives that portray others as conspiring against the in-group.
Collective narcissism can be expressed in grandiose and vulnerable forms. In the grandiose expression, collective narcissism manifests as group exceptionalism—beliefs that the in-group is unusual or extraordinary in ways that imply superiority.
These beliefs are frequently buoyed by pseudo-scholarship that overemphasizes the strengths and achievements of the in-group while downplaying weaknesses and failures.
This self-serving bias is often applied to science by emphasizing research that reinforces ideas of in-group exceptionalism while ignoring or discounting science that undermines those narratives.
Similarly, collective narcissists will retell their history in a manner that portrays the group in an unrealistically positive light by selectively emphasizing stories demonstrating the virtues of the group, whilst sanitizing episodes that demonstrate group faults and failings.
Collective narcissists may also demonstrate a strong desire for historical closure, which attenuates feelings of collective guilt and obligation for reparations to victims for past in-group sins.
That is, collective narcissism often manifests in defensive desires to distance oneself from events of the past that might undermine the positive image of one’s in-group.
The vulnerable expression of collective narcissism manifests as a shared sense of victimization and defensiveness termed siege mentality.
It is characterized by pronounced hostility to in-group criticism, insularity and out-group wariness, and hypervigilance regarding persecution or marginalization of the in-group.
Importantly, group siege mentality may be justified by historically factual experiences of persecution and marginalization of group members.
However, exaggerated retelling of these episodes can further intensify siege mentality and collective narcissism, especially when historic experiences with persecution are a central feature defining group identity.
Defending the image of the social groups with which one identifies is one means whereby people defend against perceived threats to their self-image.
To maintain a positive group image and compensate for insecurity regarding group social standing, perceived victimhood can motivate the use of conspiracy stereotypes to unite the in-group against a scapegoat out-group.
A common strategy employed by collective narcissists in response to criticism of the in-group is to attack the credibility or integrity of critics. This tendency is especially true for persons who are chronically defensive about their in-group.
Collective narcissists tend to be more concerned with how the group image reflects on their self-image than with benefiting other in-group members.
Hypervigilance over threats to group image may therefore foster suspicion between in-group members. Such a tendency can motivate intra-group surveillance wherein members of the in-group evaluate each other to identify potential “wolves in sheep’s clothing.”
Individuals scoring high in collective narcissism are more willing to engage in conspiratorial plots against members of their in-group, which is explained by a tendency among collective narcissists to believe that other in-group members are also conspiring against them.
We've seen all of these play out over recent weeks in online Mormon discourse. Apologists have rallied and attacked critics in the wake of the AP article. The church has issued defensive statements denying responsibility and accusing others of slanderous misrepresentation.
Clark Gilbert has asserted that BYU must stand apart by resisting outside approaches at fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion and instead employ a superior, Mormon approach.
BYU has ramped up their retrenchment efforts by implementing new policies designed to police orthodoxy and conformity within their own ranks but using ecclesiastical structures to monitor the devotion and loyalty of faculty and staff.
Day after day provides new examples of hostility to criticism, accusations of persecution, denials of accountability, demands for historical closure, laudations of Mormon greatness, and through it all—the digging in of heels and resistance to change.
Until Mormons learn to foster in-group positivity that avoids the trappings of collective narcissism, there will always be conflict between Mormondom and outsiders, as well as controlling, suspicious, and self-consuming behavior within their own communities.
This thread is gaining some traction. Please check out @alekscichocka, the leading expert in the field on collective narcissism and give them your support. Most of what I wrote above is a summary of their incredible work.
Agnieszka Golec de Zavala (@PrejudiceLab) is also a leading name you should know. The two of them have published widely on this subject.
collectivenarcissism.com/profile/agolec
For the scale with which collective narcissism is measured, see here: collectivenarcissism.com/resources
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