The Role of Identity Fusion in Violent Extremism

Research spanning the globe including samples of current terrorists, former terrorists, individuals at risk of radicalization, and combatants against terrorism has shown that identity fusion – that is, a visceral feeling of commitment to a group, leader, or set of convictions – propels individuals to engage in extreme behaviors on behalf of the fusion target across cultural and ideological boundaries. From jihadist radicals to ethnonationalist terrorists and neo-Nazis, the behavior of violent extremists is permeated by the effects of identity fusion, underscoring the need to understand this construct for the development of enlightened measures to counter violent extremism. In the present chapter, we provide a comprehensive review. We introduce the concept of identity fusion and explain its nature, antecedents, and behavioral consequences. We also summarize how it can be assessed, the mechanisms that amplify or reduce its effects, and the processes responsible for its behavioral impact. After that, we provide an overview of existing identity fusion research with individuals at different stages of the radicalization process and fighters and highlight its implications for the development of tools to assess the risk of radicalization and measures to prevent violent radicalization and promote disengagement from violence.