Exploring the Pathways Between Transformative Group Experiences and Identity Fusion.

Christopher M Kavanagh,Rohan Kapitány,Idhamsyah Eka Putra,Harvey Whitehouse

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01172

Abstract

A growing body of evidence suggests that two distinct forms of group alignment are possible: identification and fusion (the former asserts that group and personal identity are distinct, while the latter asserts group and personal identities are functionally equivalent and mutually reinforcing). Among highly fused individuals, group identity taps directly into personal agency and so any attack on the group is perceived as a personal attack and motivates a willingness to fight and possibly even die as a defensive response. As such, identity fusion is relevant in explaining violent extremism, including suicidal terrorist attacks. Identity fusion is theorized to arise as a result from experiences which are (1) perceived as shared and (2) transformative, however evidence for this relationship remains limited. Here, we present a pre-registered study in which we examine the role of transformativeness and perceived sharedness of group-defining events in generating identity fusion. We find that both of these factors are predictive of identity fusion but that the relationship with transformativeness was more consistent than perceived sharedness across analyses in a sample of Indonesian Muslims.

Highlights

Psychologists have understood group alignment in terms of group identification as outlined by the social identity approach, which combines social identity theory (SIT) and selfcategorization theory (Tajfel and Turner, 1985; Haslam et al, 1996; Hogg, 2006; Hornsey, 2008)
An alternative hypothesis based on the results reported in Kavanagh et al (2019b) is that the relationship between self-transformative experiences and perceptions of shared memories will be stronger for group identification than identity fusion in this sample
The most commonly referenced topics were events related to: (1) religious practices, experiences or historical events connected with Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) (37.3% with 5.6% focusing on the 1945 Jihad resolution), (2) the blasphemy controversy and subsequent protests (19.6%), (3) religious practices, experiences or historical events connected with PKS (11.8%, with 2.4% mentioning the arrest and detention of Luthfi Hasan Ishaaq PKS’ former leader), (4) Islamic holidays, regular religious practices, or Islamic teachings (14.9%), and (5) The events of the Gus Dur presidency (4%)

Summary

Introduction

Psychologists have understood group alignment in terms of group identification as outlined by the social identity approach, which combines social identity theory (SIT) and selfcategorization theory (Tajfel and Turner, 1985; Haslam et al, 1996; Hogg, 2006; Hornsey, 2008). There exists a hydraulic relationship between levels of identity such that making a group identity salient means that one’s personal identity becomes less accessible and vice versa (Tajfel and Turner, 1985) Related to this is the process of depersonalization whereby committed group members in salient group contexts perceive themselves less as individuals and more as interchangeable exemplars of the relevant group (Hogg and Turner, 1987; Rosenberg, 1987). Kruglanski et al (2009, 2014) and Dugas and Kruglanski (2014) work on radicalization emphasizes how such a mechanism plays an important role in ‘quests for significance.’ They describe how individuals undergoing a search for meaning within a group context involves a collectivist shift in which there is a “transition from one’s individual identity to one’s social identity as the member of some group” which offers Related to this is the process of depersonalization whereby committed group members in salient group contexts perceive themselves less as individuals and more as interchangeable exemplars of the relevant group (Hogg and Turner, 1987; Rosenberg, 1987). Kruglanski et al (2009, 2014) and Dugas and Kruglanski (2014) work on radicalization emphasizes how such a mechanism plays an important role in ‘quests for significance.’ They describe how individuals undergoing a search for meaning within a group context involves a collectivist shift in which there is a “transition from one’s individual identity to one’s social identity as the member of some group” which offers

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