People with particular narcissistic traits may be more likely to hold negative attitudes toward immigrants, according to new research published in the journal Behavioral Sciences. The study found that individuals high in extraverted or antagonistic narcissism were more likely to endorse anti-immigrant beliefs, and this connection was driven by their tendency to view the world as a highly competitive place and to support authoritarian or dominance-oriented ideologies. On the other hand, individuals high in neurotic narcissism tended to show weaker or even negative associations with anti-immigrant attitudes.
Narcissism is a personality trait that involves a heightened sense of self-importance and a focus on status, admiration, and superiority. While narcissism is often discussed in broad terms, researchers have increasingly recognized that it includes multiple dimensions. The current study focused on three types: extraverted narcissism, which is characterized by confidence and a desire for attention; antagonistic narcissism, which includes hostility and a lack of empathy; and neurotic narcissism, which reflects insecurity and sensitivity to criticism. These subtypes differ in how individuals relate to others and perceive social situations, including intergroup dynamics.
“We were interested in understanding what role personality traits—particularly narcissistic traits—might play in shaping people’s views about outgroup members such as immigrants,” said study author Virgil Zeigler-Hill, a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Psychology at Oakland University.
“There has been growing evidence that narcissism can influence how people perceive and treat others, especially those they see as outsiders. I was especially curious about whether this connection might be explained by how narcissistic individuals view the social world—do they see it as a place of constant competition where others are either allies or threats? And if so, might that competitive mindset help explain why some individuals with narcissistic traits develop negative attitudes toward immigrants?”
The researchers conducted three separate studies to examine whether these different facets of narcissism were associated with anti-immigrant attitudes and whether this relationship could be explained by broader social beliefs and ideological views. Specifically, they tested whether individuals high in narcissism were more likely to see the social world as a competitive “jungle” and to endorse authoritarianism or social dominance as a way of organizing society. In turn, these beliefs were expected to predict negative attitudes toward immigrants.
The first study included 366 undergraduate students from a university in the United States. Participants completed a series of questionnaires measuring narcissistic traits, their beliefs about the social world, their ideological attitudes, and their views toward immigrants.
Measures included validated tools such as the Five-Factor Narcissism Inventory, scales assessing dangerous and competitive worldviews, and instruments measuring Right-Wing Authoritarianism and Social Dominance Orientation. Anti-immigrant attitudes were measured using a scale that asked participants how willing they would be to support persecution of immigrant groups under hypothetical government orders. To ensure data quality, the researchers excluded participants who provided inattentive or inconsistent responses.
The second study replicated this design in a more diverse sample of 904 adults from the United States, recruited through an online platform. The third study used a similar approach in a sample of 754 adults from Israel. This cross-cultural extension allowed the researchers to test whether the patterns observed in the United States would also appear in a different national context.
Across all three studies, a consistent pattern emerged. Antagonistic narcissism was strongly associated with anti-immigrant attitudes. Individuals who scored high on this trait were more likely to see the world as a competitive place where people must fight for limited resources and status. This worldview was linked to higher endorsement of ideological beliefs that emphasize group hierarchy and authority, such as social dominance and authoritarianism.
These beliefs, in turn, were associated with greater support for punitive and exclusionary attitudes toward immigrants. In other words, individuals with antagonistic narcissism appeared to justify their negative views of immigrants by adopting a worldview that prioritizes dominance and control.
Extraverted narcissism also showed indirect associations with anti-immigrant attitudes, but the pattern was more complex. Although extraverted narcissism was not consistently linked to anti-immigrant views at a direct level, it was associated with competitive worldviews and ideological attitudes that predicted these views.
For example, individuals high in extraverted narcissism were more likely to endorse authoritarian or dominance-oriented beliefs, especially when they viewed the world as a competitive environment. These beliefs were, in turn, associated with more negative attitudes toward immigrants. This suggests that even if people high in extraverted narcissism do not explicitly express prejudice, the way they view the social world may contribute to attitudes that reinforce social exclusion.
“Even though extraverted narcissism didn’t always show a direct link to anti-immigrant attitudes, it still had a reliable indirect association through competitive worldviews and ideological beliefs,” Zeigler-Hill said. “That subtle pathway was unexpected and informative.”
In contrast, neurotic narcissism showed a different pattern. Across the studies, individuals high in neurotic narcissism tended to report fewer anti-immigrant attitudes, and this trait was negatively associated with authoritarianism and social dominance. While neurotic narcissism was occasionally linked to a belief that the world is a dangerous place, it was not associated with competitive worldviews or ideological attitudes that justify dominance over outgroups.
“One of the most surprising findings was the consistent negative association between neurotic narcissism and anti-immigrant attitudes,” Zeigler-Hill told PsyPost. “Although neurotic narcissism is often linked to insecurity and emotional distress, those traits didn’t seem to translate into greater prejudice—in fact, quite the opposite. That stood out because it challenges the idea that all narcissistic traits are inherently associated with hostility toward outgroups.”
These findings shed light on the complex psychological pathways that connect personality traits with social attitudes. The results suggest that not all forms of narcissism are associated with prejudice in the same way, highlighting the importance of considering the different dimensions of narcissism when studying its social consequences.
The researchers also emphasized the role of competitive worldviews in shaping these attitudes. Across all three studies, individuals who believed that society operates as a zero-sum game were more likely to endorse hierarchical ideologies and negative views toward immigrants. This suggests that encouraging people to see the social world as cooperative rather than competitive might be one way to reduce prejudice, especially among those with narcissistic traits.
“One key takeaway is that certain personality traits can shape not only how we view ourselves, but also how we understand the world around us—and ultimately, how we treat other people,” Zeigler-Hill told PsyPost. “For example, individuals with high levels of antagonistic or extraverted narcissism were more likely to view the world as a competitive place, which seemed to fuel authoritarian and dominance-oriented beliefs. These beliefs, in turn, were associated with stronger anti-immigrant attitudes.
“On the other hand, people with more neurotic narcissistic traits tended to be less prejudiced—perhaps because their anxiety and insecurity don’t lead them to see immigrants as threats. This highlights how complex and varied the pathways to prejudice can be.”
But the study, like all research, includes some caveats.
“One limitation is that the studies relied on cross-sectional data, which means we can’t definitively say these narcissistic personality traits cause people to adopt anti-immigrant attitudes—we can only say they’re associated,” Zeigler-Hill noted. “Also, most participants were from the United States or Israel, and largely identified as White, so the results might not generalize to other cultural or demographic groups. It’s possible that different cultural norms or life experiences could alter how narcissistic traits relate to social worldviews and prejudice toward immigrants. Future research with more diverse samples and longitudinal designs will be crucial to better understanding these patterns.”
Future research could also test whether changing people’s perceptions of the social world—such as by promoting cooperative values—could weaken the link between narcissism and prejudice. If interventions could reduce competitive thinking, it might lessen the appeal of authoritarian or dominance-based ideologies and, in turn, reduce anti-immigrant sentiment.
“A major goal moving forward is to explore how context shapes the relationship between narcissism and attitudes toward immigrants,” Zeigler-Hill explained. “For example, does the link become stronger during times of political instability or economic uncertainty, when people feel their status is under threat? I’m also interested in developing and testing interventions that might weaken the influence of competitive worldviews—for instance, by encouraging more cooperative ways of thinking about social life. Understanding the psychological roots of prejudice is important, but it’s equally important to find ways to address and reduce it.”
“This research underscores the value of looking beneath the surface of personality traits to understand the broader social beliefs and ideologies that link them to real-world outcomes. Narcissism isn’t a one-size-fits-all trait—its different forms can have very different implications for how people see the world and treat others. By identifying the specific pathways that connect personality to prejudice, we can develop more precise and effective strategies for promoting tolerance and reducing intergroup hostility.”
The study, “Narcissism and Anti-Immigrant Attitudes: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice,” was authored by by Virgil Zeigler-Hill, Angelina Toma, Emily Thomas, and Avi Besser.
