“Imaginistic rituals, especially more severe types involving high stress, trauma, or other forms of shared intense emotion, can lead to identity fusion. Identity fusion is a visceral sense of -oneness- with other group members where acts of self-sacrifice on behalf of the group are not uncommon. Imaginistic rituals tend to be more frequent among smaller, more closely-knit groups where a strong sense of unity is necessary to accomplish challenging goals (for example, sports teams, Nay Seals, subversive political movements, etc.).” ReligionIdentityRitualCognitive ScienceDurkheim Book:Ritual in Human Evolution and Religion: Psychological and Ritual Resources Source: Ritual in Human Evolution and Religion: Psychological and Ritual Resources