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

Abstract

Four studies were conducted to examine how self and group identity fusion is related to self-construals, self-perception of agentic and communal traits, and the desire for self- and group verification. In study 1 ( N 1 = 244), identity fusion in relation to country and gender was examined, while in studies 2 ( N 2 = 164), and 3 ( N 3 = 166) participants’ relations with social groups important to and chosen by them were analyzed. Study 4 ( N 4 = 796) included football fans, and they described their relations with other fans. The results showed that high identity fusion was described by (a) high results for interdependent and independent self-construal, except when fusion with country was considered (studies 1, 2, and 4); (b) simultaneously high agency and communion (studies 3 and 4); and (c) a strong desire for self-verification at the group and personal levels of self-description.