Shared Negative Experiences Lead to Identity Fusion via Personal Reflection

Abstract

Across three studies, we examined the role of shared negative experiences in the formation of strong social bonds—identity fusion—previously associated with individuals' willingness to self-sacrifice for the sake of their groups. Studies 1 and 2 were correlational studies conducted on two different populations. In Study 1, we found that the extent to which Northern Irish Republicans and Unionists experienced shared negative experiences was associated with levels of identity fusion, and that this relationship was mediated by their reflection on these experiences. In Study 2, we replicated this finding among Bostonians, looking at their experiences of the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombings. These correlational studies provide initial evidence for the plausibility of our causal model; however, an experiment was required for a more direct test. Thus, in Study 3, we experimentally manipulated the salience of the Boston Marathon Bombings, and found that this increased state levels of identity fusion among those who experienced it negatively. Taken together, these three studies provide evidence that shared negative experience leads to identity fusion, and that this process involves personal reflection.

Positive experiences of high arousal martial arts rituals are linked to identity fusion and costly pro‐group actions

“…These findings stand in contrast to the emphasis placed on the role of negative experiences in promoting identity fusion bonds , which has received support from some recent empirical studies (Jong et al, 2015;Whitehouse et al, 2017). Crucially, we observed no comparable relationship between negative affect scores and identity fusion (H2b), nor was the negative affect measure predictive of any pro-group sacrifice outcomes.…”

“…Two independent studies, for example, have reported that individuals who have shared highly arousing negative experiences, such as frontline combat during the Libyan civil war (Whitehouse, McQuinn, Buhrmester, & Swann, 2014) and experiences of violence during the conflict in Northern Ireland (Jong, Whitehouse, Kavanagh, & Lane, 2015), display higher levels of identity fusion with relevant group identities. Two independent studies, for example, have reported that individuals who have shared highly arousing negative experiences, such as frontline combat during the Libyan civil war (Whitehouse, McQuinn, Buhrmester, & Swann, 2014) and experiences of violence during the conflict in Northern Ireland (Jong, Whitehouse, Kavanagh, & Lane, 2015), display higher levels of identity fusion with relevant group identities.…”

The evolution of extreme cooperation via shared dysphoric experiences

“…Our eight experimental studies provide preliminary empirical evidence for our model, as do other previous studies on the causes and consequences of identity fusion202265. Our empirical findings across study groups suggest a consistently robust trend for dysphoria’s role in extreme cooperation, beyond the effects of group performance or kinship on cooperation that have previously been documented.…”

Independent and Interdependent? Agentic and Communal? Self-construals of People Fused with a Group

“…Contextual factors have been found to influence fusion. Jong, Whitehouse, Kavanagh, and Lane (2015) showed that shared negative experiences could result in stronger fusion with a group, and shared flow during positive collective gatherings also influence identity fusion with fellow in-group members (Zumeta, Basabe, Wlodarczyk, Bobowik, & Páez, 2016). Regarding the motivational factors that influence the behaviors and attitudes of fused individuals, they are especially motivated by self-and group verification strivings because fused individuals regard the personal and social selves as one.…”