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Becoming part of me: Examining when objects, thoughts, goals, and people become fused with the self‐concept
Author(s) -
Hatvany Thomas,
Burkley Edward,
Curtis Jessica
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
social and personality psychology compass
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.699
H-Index - 53
ISSN - 1751-9004
DOI - 10.1111/spc3.12369
Subject(s) - construct (python library) , psychology , extension (predicate logic) , theme (computing) , process (computing) , focus (optics) , epistemology , social psychology , cognitive psychology , cognitive science , computer science , philosophy , physics , optics , programming language , operating system
Fusion refers to the sense that a construct is integrated into the self‐concept. When a person feels fused with a construct, there is a perceived “oneness” with the construct, and as a result, the construct is treated as an extension of the self. This concept of fusion has been explored across a wide range of constructs and within a number of subfields in psychology. The goal of this article is to provide a comprehensive view of the fusion process and to connect these disparate areas of literature underneath a single unifying theme. Specifically, we focus on five constructs that researchers have explored in terms of fusion: objects, thoughts, goals, significant others, and groups. In our review, we discuss the ways that fusion is typically measured and highlight the consequences that occur as a result of such fusion. We conclude by highlighting questions that remain unanswered and suggest potential areas of future development.