'Fused' people willing to die, kill for their cause

Washington (IANS)- Washington (IANS)- People with strong emotional ties to their countries or groups are not only willing, but eager, to sacrifice themselves or kill for a cause.

Bill Swann, psychology professor at the University of Texas, and his team found that majority of "fused" people, those who view themselves as completely immersed in a group (ethnic, national or other), are willing to commit extreme acts for the good of their compatriots.

"Fused group members believe that through suicide, their lives will achieve tremendous significance," Swann said, according to a report in Psychological Science.

"Their strong sense of moral agency drives them to see not only that justice is done, but to also take an active role in its implementation," he added.

Researchers recruited 506 college students at the Universidad Nacional de Educacion a Distancia in Spain, said a Texas release.

Based on the students' answers in online questionnaires, the researchers identified 38 percent of the participants as "fused" as compared to "non-fused". They then measured their self-sacrificial behaviours.

Bill Swann, psychology professor at the University of Texas, and his team found that majority of "fused" people, those who view themselves as completely immersed in a group (ethnic, national or other), are willing to commit extreme acts for the good of their compatriots.

"Fused group members believe that through suicide, their lives will achieve tremendous significance," Swann said, according to a report in Psychological Science.

"Their strong sense of moral agency drives them to see not only that justice is done, but to also take an active role in its implementation," he added.

Researchers recruited 506 college students at the Universidad Nacional de Educacion a Distancia in Spain, said a Texas release.

Based on the students' answers in online questionnaires, the researchers identified 38 percent of the participants as "fused" as compared to "non-fused". They then measured their self-sacrificial behaviours.