Identity fusion and extreme group behavior

大多数当代群体过程的分析都是以社会认同理论或自我归类理论为指导的。这两种理论都强调群体认同是与群体保持一致的衡量标准。身份认同无疑是群体成员联合起来贬低外群体成员和贬低内群体成员的倾向的一个有影响力的决定因素。然而，认同反映的是人们与类别的一致性，而不是与类别中的个别成员的一致性。与此相反，身份融合强调家庭情感对群体的连通性和互惠力量的情感，激励融合的人作出深刻的牺牲，为个人的“家庭”成员。威廉·斯旺博士和他的合作者最近的研究表明，当人们与一个群体融为一体时，他们的个人身份和社会身份理论上会协同联合收割机，从而激发亲群体行为。结果是，身份融合者特别倾向于将个人资金捐赠给群体，并代表群体采取大胆行动，甚至包括支持为群体而战和牺牲。该奖项支持的研究旨在了解对一个群体的极端奉献（“超融合”）以及如何反击。在九项实验室研究中，研究人员专注于融合的先决条件，身份融合可能发挥独特作用的情况，并考虑过度融合有时可能会损害人们履行多重角色的能力。对极端行为的前因的关注将增强对恐怖主义的理解，这显然与国家安全，国际关系和美国的经济福祉有关。此外，德克萨斯大学（UT）的研究生和本科生将参与研究的概念化，设计和实施。最后，将专门征聘妇女和少数民族担任助理，以扩大代表性不足群体的参与。

Most contemporary analyses of group processes have been guided by social identity theory or self-categorization theory. Both of these theories have emphasized group identification as the measure of alignment with groups. Identification is doubtlessly an influential determinant of the tendency for group members to band together in derogating members of out-groups and applauding fellow in-group members. Nevertheless, identification reflects people's alignment with the category rather than with the individual members of the category. In contrast, identity fusion emphasizes familial sentiments toward the group connectedness and reciprocal strength sentiments that motivate fused persons to make profound sacrifices for individual "family" members. Recent research by Dr. William Swann and his collaborators has shown that when people become fused with a group, their personal and social identities theoretically combine synergistically to motivate pro-group behavior. The result is that identity fused persons are especially inclined to donate their personal funds to the group and take bold action on behalf of the group, including even endorsing fighting and dying for the group. The research supported with this award is designed to understand extreme devotion to a group ("hyper-fusion")and how it might be countered. In nine experimental laboratory studies, the researcher focuses on the antecedents of fusion, the circumstances when identity fusion may play a unique role and consider the possibility that hyper-fusion may sometimes compromise people's capacity to fulfill multiple roles. The focus on the antecedents of extreme behavior will enhance understanding of terrorism, which is obviously relevant to national security, international relations, and America's economic well-being. Moreover, both graduate and undergraduate students at the University of Texas (UT) will be involved in the conceptualization, design, and implementation of the research. Finally, women and minorities will be specifically recruited as assistants as a way of broadening the participation of underrepresented groups.