Strongly fused individuals feel viscerally responsible to self‐sacrifice. (15th February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chinchilla, Juana; Vázquez, Alexandra; Gómez, Ángel
• Is Part Of: British journal of social psychology. Volume 61:Part 4(2022)
• Page Start: 1067
• Page End: 1085
• Publication Date: 2022-02-15
• Subjects: care ethics -- extreme behaviour -- identity fusion -- prosocial behaviour; Social psychology -- Periodicals; 302.05
• DOI: 10.1111/bjso.12526
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0144-6665

Abstract

Abstract: Identity fusion is a visceral feeling of oneness that predicts extreme behaviour on behalf of the target of fusion. We propose that strongly fused individuals are characterized by feelings of visceral responsibility towards such target – unconditional, instinctive, and impulsive drive to care, protect and promote its well‐being and interests – that motivates them to self‐sacrifice. Two studies offered initial support when the target of fusion is an individual or a group (Studies 1a‐1b). A final study added causal evidence that strongly fused learning that most ingroup members did not feel visceral responsibility towards the group expressed less willingness to self‐sacrifice than those learning that ingroup members display high levels of visceral responsibility (Study 2). These findings offer novel evidence for the mechanisms underlying the effects of fusion on extreme behaviour on behalf of the target of fusion and the attenuation of its consequences.