Quiet ego and noisy ego: A useful distinction in the investigation of individual well-being and intergroup relations

The aim of this paper is to assess the relations of quiet ego and noisy ego, measured as psychological entitlement, with individual well-being and intergroup outcomes. After providing an initial validation of the Italian versions of the scales used to assess these ego dispositions (Study 1), we performed regression analyses of quiet ego and psychological entitlement on well-being indicators (Study 2) and on measures of intergroup emotions and evaluations (Study 3). Results showed that quiet ego was positively related to both individual well-being and positive intergroup perceptions and emotions. On the contrary, psychological entitlement showed to be a double-edged sword: It was positively related at the same time with psychological well-being and negative affect; moreover, it was related to a worsening of intergroup outcomes. These findings provide evidence for the benefit of having a quieter rather than a noisier ego for both individual well-being and intergroup relations.