The attacks on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon in the
United States of September 11th, 2001 brought the phenomenon of
religious fundamentalism to the world's attention.Sociological
research has clearly demonstrated that fundamentalists are
primarily reacting against modernity, and believe that they are
fighting for the very survival of their faith against the secular
enemy. But we understand very little about how and why people join
fundamentalist movements and embrace a set of beliefs, values and
norms of behaviour which are counter-cultural. This is essentially
a question for social psychology, since it involves both social
relations and individual selves.
Drawing on a broad theoretical perspective, social identity
theory, Peter Herriot addresses two key questions: why do
fundamentalists identify themselves as an in-group fighting against
various out-groups? And how do the psychological needs for
self-esteem and meaning motivate them? Case studies of Mohammed
Atta, the leader of the 9/11 hijackers, and of the current
controversy in the Anglican Church about gay priests and bishops,
demonstrate how fruitfully this theory can be applied to
fundamentalist conflicts. It also offers psychologically sensible
ways of managing such conflicts, rather than treating
fundamentalists as an enemy to be defeated.
Religious Fundamentalism and Social Identity is unique in
applying social identity theory to fundamentalism, and rare in that
it provides psychological (in addition to sociological) analyses of
the phenomenon. It is a valuable resource for courses in social
psychology which seek to demonstrate the applicability of social
psychological theory to the real world.
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