When group membership gets personal: A theory of identity fusion.
The University of Texas at Austin · The University of Queensland · +2 more institutions
Abstract
Identity fusion is a relatively unexplored form of alignment with groups that entails a visceral feeling of oneness with the group. This feeling is associated with unusually porous, highly permeable borders between the personal and social self. These porous borders encourage people to channel their personal agency into group behavior, raising the possibility that the personal and social self will combine synergistically to motivate pro-group behavior. Furthermore, the strong personal as well as social identities possessed by highly fused persons cause them to recognize other group members not merely as members of the group but also as unique individuals, prompting the development of strong relational as well…
Citation impact
- FWCI
- 89.56
- Percentile
- 100%
- References
- 164
Authors
5Topics & keywords
- Social psychology
- Feeling
- Agency (philosophy)
- Psychology
- Collective identity
- Social identity theory
- Identity (music)
- Group (periodic table)
- Reduced inequalities