ABSTRACT

Integrating psychoanalytic ideas of group idealisation with social identity and categorisation theories, this article discusses the distinction between secure and defensive in-group positivity. Narcissistic in-group positivity captures a belief in in-group greatness that is contingent on external validation. It reflects defensive in-group positivity, insofar as it stems from the frustration of individual needs, and predicts increased sensitivity to threats as well as undesirable consequences for out-groups and the in-group. Secure in-group positivity—that is, in-group positivity without the narcissistic component—is a confidently held positive evaluation of one’s in-group that is independent of the recognition of the group in the eyes of others. It stems from the satisfaction of individual needs, is resilient to threats and has positive consequences for the in-group and out-groups. I review evidence for these two distinct ways people relate to their social groups and discuss theoretical and practical implications for understanding intra- and intergroup relations.

摘要

将群体理想化的心理分析思想与社会认同和分类理论相结合，本文讨论了安全和防御性群体内积极性之间的区别。自恋的团体内部积极性体现了对团体内部卓越性的信念，这取决于外部验证。它反映了防御性的团体内积极性，只要它源于个人需求的挫败感，并预测对威胁的敏感度以及对团体外和团体内不良后果的敏感性会增加。安全的团体内积极性（即，没有自恋成分的团体内积极性）是对一个人的团体内自信的积极评价，独立于他人眼中对团体的认可。它源于个人需求的满足，具有抵御威胁的能力，并对团体内和团体外的人产生积极的影响。我回顾了人们与社会群体联系的两种不同方式的证据，并讨论了理解群体内和群体间关系的理论和实践意义。