Abstract

Social identification can promote benevolence toward ingroup members but can also instigate hostility toward outgroup members, especially when the former group feels mistreated. Identity fusion with one’s country, a feeling of union with it, is a good predictor of willingness to fight people who have offended or threatened it. In this study, we propose that universalism values – concern about equality and justice for all people – attenuate the link between identity fusion with one’s country and willingness to fight those who disrespect it. In a Chilean sample (N = 160, age between 18 and 63 years, Mage = 31.21 years, SD = 8.90 years; 73.1% women), a multiple regression analysis supported our hypothesis. We discuss the implications of this result for interventions directed to improve intergroup relationships. © 2023 Institute of Experimental Psychology, Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.