Work

Intelligence Is Negatively Related to National Narcissism and Conspiracy Beliefs

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Within the current study, we address the question of whether intelligence would be negatively related to narcissistic identity with nation (i.e., belief in the nation's greatness that requires external recognition) and endorsement of conspiracy theories (i.e., the tendency to explain events through secret plots by powerful groups). We found a consistent pattern of associations using the data from two culturally different samples of Polish (N = 1143) and British (N = 388) participants. That is, we observed consistent negative relationships between intelligence and socio-psychological variables responsible for out-group derogation: national narcissism and conspiracy beliefs. Moreover, lower national narcissism partially accounted for the association between higher intelligence and lower conspiracy beliefs, which provides initial evidence that higher intelligence may be related not only to a less narcissistic identity but also to weaker endorsement of conspiracy theories. We discuss the implications for understanding the role of intelligence and national narcissism in shaping the psychological roots of susceptibility to conspiracy narratives.

Source: International Journal of Psychology

DOI: 10.1002/ijop.70110

Authors: Marta Rogoza, Marta Marchlewska, Zuzanna Molenda, Dagmara Szczepańska, Radosław Rogoza

Institutions: Institute of Psychology, Polish Academy of Sciences, University of Warsaw, VIZJA University

Language: English

Topic: Misinformation and Its Impacts

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,570

Funder: Narodowe Centrum Nauki