Gómez, ÁngelVázquez Botana, AlexandraAlba, BeatrizBlanco, LauraChinchilla, JuanaChiclana, SandraSwann, William B.2024-07-192024-07-192024Gómez, Ángel; Vázquez, Alexandra; Alba, Beatriz; Blanco, Laura; Chinchilla, Juana; Chiclana, Sandra, Swann, William B.; (2024). Feeling understood fosters identity fusion. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspi00004640022-3514https://doi.org/10.1037/pspi0000464https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14468/23044If the consequences of identity fusion are well established, its psychological antecedents are not. To address this shortcoming, eight studies tested the hypothesis that self-verification (receiving evaluations that confirm one’s self-views) increases fusion (a synergistic union with a group, individual, or cause), which, in turn, increases behavioral support for the target of fusion. Correlational studies showed that perceived self-verification was positively associated with fusion, which was positively associated with willingness to fight and die for a group (Study 1a), a value (Study 1b), and a leader (Study 1c). Study 2 revealed that increasing perceived self-verification fostered greater willingness to fight and die for the group but only indirectly through increases in fusion. Study 3 showed that 4 months after indicating the degree of fusion with a group, increasing perceived self-verification augmented endorsement of fighting and dying for the group indirectly through elevations in fusion. In Study 4, relational ties mediated the relationship between perceived self-verification and fusion. Finally, face-to-face interviews with incarcerated members of street gangs and organized crime gangs (Studies 5a–5b) showed that perceived self-verification was positively associated with fusion, which was positively associated with sacrifices for the gang (replicating Studies 1a–1c). No evidence emerged supporting a rival causal path in which fusion caused willingness to fight and die through perceived self-verification. Implications for related theoretical approaches and for conceptualizing the relationship between personal identities, social identities, and group processes are discussed.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess61 Psicología::6114 Psicología socialartículoself-verificationidentity fusionpro-group behaviorsrelational ties