Does the union always make the force? Group status and recategorization influence the perceived physical formidability of potential coalition groups

Abstract

Coalitions among individuals and between groups, which have had critical evolutionary benefits for humans, play an important role in contemporary life. One key element of the processes of assessing potential allies is how they may contribute to the perceived physical formidability – fighting ability or the capacity to inflict costs on others – of the alliance. In three studies, focused for the first time on intergroup coalitions, we investigated how qualities of the groups such as status (social prestige) and the relationship between them influence the perceived physical formidability of a coalition (i.e., European Union, EU). Study 1 found that the inclusion of a group with higher or similar (but not lower) status increased the perceived formidability of the EU. Studies 2 and 3 showed that learning that ingroup members recategorized a low‐status group within a common‐group identity increased the perceived formidability of the EU including that group, compared with the conditions in which either outgroup members recategorized or no information was provided. Study 3 also revealed mediation by fusion – a visceral connection – with outgroup members, which has been relatively unexplored. Taken together, these studies reveal that both, status and social identity processes, may significantly affect the estimations of coalitional formidability.

Feeling understood fosters identity fusion.

“…Rather than perceiving group membership simply as a means of obtaining self-enhancement, strongly fused persons perceive their relationship to the group as reciprocal, with the individual actively supporting the group as well as drawing strength from the group. Consistent with this proposition, fusion is not only associated with perceptions of group agency (Gómez et al, 2011), but it is also related to the tendency to regard both themselves and their group as physically and spiritually formidable (Gómez et al, 2017; Gómez, Vázquez, & Atran, 2023; Tossell et al, 2022; Vázquez et al, 2020, 2024). 3 Perceptions of formidability, in turn, are associated with trust in the ingroup, which fosters the will to fight for the group.…”

“…Go ´mez, Vázquez, & Atran, 2023;Tossell et al, 2022;Vázquez et al, 2020Vázquez et al, , 2024. 3 Perceptions of formidability, in turn, are associated with trust in the ingroup, which fosters the will to fight for the group.…”