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Shared Negative Experiences Lead to Identity Fusion via Personal Reflection

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  • Jonathan Jong
  • Harvey Whitehouse
  • Christopher Kavanagh
  • Justin Lane

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Jonathan Jong & Harvey Whitehouse & Christopher Kavanagh & Justin Lane, 2015. "Shared Negative Experiences Lead to Identity Fusion via Personal Reflection," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(12), pages 1-12, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0145611
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0145611
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    Cited by:

    1. Sabrina Jeworrek & Joschka Waibel, 2021. "Unethical employee behavior against coworkers following unkind management treatment: An experimental analysis," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 42(5), pages 1220-1234, July.
    2. Martha Newson & Michael Buhrmester & Harvey Whitehouse, 2016. "Explaining Lifelong Loyalty: The Role of Identity Fusion and Self-Shaping Group Events," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(8), pages 1-13, August.
    3. Á. Gómez & J. J. Bélanger & J. Chinchilla & A. Vázquez & B. M. Schumpe & C. F. Nisa & S. Chiclana, 2021. "Admiration for Islamist groups encourages self-sacrifice through identity fusion," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 8(1), pages 1-12, December.
    4. Ronja Sczepanski, 2023. "European by action: How voting reshapes nested identities," European Union Politics, , vol. 24(4), pages 751-770, December.
    5. Daniel A. Yudkin & Annayah M. B. Prosser & S. Megan Heller & Kateri McRae & Aleksandr Chakroff & M. J. Crockett, 2022. "Prosocial correlates of transformative experiences at secular multi-day mass gatherings," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-13, December.
    6. Tara Tasuji & Elaine Reese & Valerie van Mulukom & Harvey Whitehouse, 2020. "Band of mothers: Childbirth as a female bonding experience," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(10), pages 1-24, October.

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