SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY

At the University of Texas

Identity Negotiation, Identity Fusion

Identity negotiation theory offers an umbrella conceptualization under which Bill Swann and his students have been working. Identity negotiation refers to the processes whereby people in relationships reach agreements regarding “who is who.” Once reached, these agreements govern the way people relate to one another, as they establish what people expect of one another. In this way, identity negotiation provides the interpersonal “glue” that holds relationships together. In recent years, Bill has become interested in how identity negotiation processes unfold in groups, especially in organizational settings.

Another prominent theme in Bill’s work has been the interplay between the personal and social self. With Conor Seyle at Texas and Angel Gomez, Francico Morales, Carmen Huici in Spain, Bill has become interested in the construct of “identity fusion." This phenomenon theoretically occurs when group members view the group as an externalization of the personal self. Their findings suggest that when people’s personal and social selves become fused in this way, people express willingness to engage in extraordinary behaviors in the service of their group membership, such as fighting or dying for the group. They are continuing to explore the nature and consequences of such activities.