Przemoc i agresja wobec swoich i obcych a tożsamość w ramach integracji europejskiej i globalizacji

The author refers to some psychological definitions of aggression and violence, underlining the ingroup processes responsible for aggressive behaviour that constitute the phenomenon of positive social identification with normal or criminal groups. Belonging to a group results in divisions into ‘us – them’, ‘locals – strangers’, the latter becoming frequent objects of aggression. Aggressive activities may be blocked by human identity markers (social, psychological, national and ethnic). Some categorising results from such personality traits as ethnocentrism (egoism), authoritarianism and chauvinism. In view of the above-mentioned considerations the paper discusses the process of changing of individual and group identity within the processes of European integration and globalization.