Blinded by Bad Identity: The Role of Collective Narcissism, Need for Cognitive Closure and Willful Ignorance in Fostering Intergroup Bias and Hostility among Catholics and Atheists

This article proposes a theoretical model linking collective narcissism, need for cognitive closure, and willful ignorance as important mechanisms driving intergroup bias and conspiracy beliefs. The model suggests that individuals strongly identified with their group in a narcissistic way are motivated to avoid information threatening ingroup image, especially when they also seek cognitive certainty. This deliberate ignorance serves to protect group image and reinforce prejudice. The framework applies symmetrically to both religious (Catholics) and non-religious (atheists) groups, highlighting a universal psychological mechanism. Secure group identification, in contrast, is posited to buffer against these effects.