Patriotism and nationalism are distinct dimensions of group identification with opposing effects

Evidence

Contrary to our expectations, however, identification did not moderate the infra-humanization of victims. One possibility is that our measure of identification did not adequately distinguish between two different dimensions of identification, namely attachment and glorification (Roccas, Klar, & Liviatan, 2006). These two facets map into the distinction between patriotism and nationalism, (e.g., Kosterman & Feshbach, 1989; Staub, 1997). Although patriotism can be considered a healthy attachment to one’s nation, nationalism is an uncritical aggrandizing of the in-group at the expense of other groups, which are perceived as inferior, and as a consequence often discriminated against (see also Brewer, 1999). In the words of George Orwell, “A nationalist is one who thinks solely, or mainly, in terms of competitive prestige” (1945). — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 2113

Categorization

• DEFINE: Clarifies the attachment vs. glorification split that maps onto patriotism vs. nationalism.
• XREF: Connects to the in-group/out-group moral psychology literature and to Orwell’s nationalism quote. — connects to: Ethnic identification amplifies white support for anti-immigrant policies under diversity threat cues — Brenda Major and Alison Blodorn and Gregory Major Blascovich, The threat of increasing diversity: Why…, 48; Attachment to country is one component of national identification — Sonia Roccas and Yechiel Klar and Ido Liviatan, The Paradox of Group-Based Guilt: Modes…, 24; Patriotism as love of tradition makes racial-justice protest read as unpatriotic — Wendy Brown, In the Ruins of Neoliberalism: The Rise…, 30 (+5 more)