A great video expressing and educating on the concept of tribalism. I realize that political comments may not be appreciated in this forum, but the reference made in this thread is unavoidable. The sharp division between the two tribes that make up our present political system has reached a point where we are again possibly facing a violent episode in the affairs of our society. Each tribe appears to be displaying thoughts and behaviors that is dismissive as well as unchanging and derogatory towards the other. Unfortunately, it seems that there are too many individuals within in each tribe that have the opinion their tribe has the correct way to lead both tribes away from mutual destruction. The search for common ground has been lost.

We are all tribal. Us v. Them drives our lives in work, play, and TV shows and movies. I have tried to find ways out of it. I am moving right along but for the most part we are creatures of habit. We keep trying to do the same damned things.

This video helps illustrate some of the problems with cognition but I wonder if we have the physical capabilities required to make "reflective" or "system 2" efforts all of the time. So we are still left with having to resort to "automatic" or "reflexive" thinking for most decisions. For most decisions "automatic" is reliable, so how do we learn to notice when reflective thinking should be applied? How can we teach everyone to become aware of the proper methods to use?

I have spent a lot of time intentionally moving in and out of various groups to deliberately try and get the other perspectives on things. I hate YT algorithm because it creates this echo chamber effect that seems designed to intentionally keep people in their own boxes. I believe that if you make an honest assessment of any position and actively look at everything from as may perspectives as you can opposing ones will cancel out, and you can find the means of least action which is almost always the best way forward.

Thats why I frequently play devils advocate and am more than willing to challenge anyones beliefs, which leads to some interesting dynamics. People who are unable or unwilling to see things from another perspective tend to deny objective truth, ignore conflicting data, find it hard to interpret new data, rely on others for new data, and as the video points out, tend to be easily manipulated by those who chose to do so.

Doesn't it really come down to critical thinking as a habit? Humans are very much like lemmings. We're social but we don't want to think too much so we follow. And many follow without question. I think that's why this tribal thinking polarizes based upon exigencies in geographical locations. The only way to rise above that is to think critically about the messages being communicated and only choosing based on merits. This rarely happens among most human societies.

tribalism is, imo, responsible for the ardent, strident supporters of global warming who have reached the point that any scientist who raises the possibility that human caused CO2 might not be totally responsible for the changes in the climate is considered a climate change denier.

Of course this is nothing new it is commanded three thousand years ago by God in the Bible. in Deuteronomy: Yahweh commands not only should you kill your enemies but you should take their stuff and rape their women.
tribalism was necessary and evolution in order to give primitive man a quick way of determining friend from foe threat from safety. I myself what should my core values everyday and hope to have an open mind.
Deuteronomy 20:16-18
16 However, in the cities of the nations the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, do not leave alive anything that breathes.  17 Completely destroythem—the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites—as the LORD your God has commanded you.  18 Otherwise, they will teach you to follow all the detestable things they do in worshiping their gods, and you will sin against the LORD your God.

Thanks so much for sharing this Victoria. An open and shut case made for integrating the basic findings of social psychology into every grade-school and high school curriculum. Thanks and peace.

Tribalism is a natural human phenomenon which dominates much of the world and has done so for thousands of years. The only long term way out of it is to do one or both of two things: (1) make remaining a member of the tribe so costly in emotion, danger, economic terms, that the appeal of the tribe will wane, and/or (2) create new opportunities which offer more in happiness, economic well=being, and safety.

This is a great illustration explains why seemingly intelligent people act against their own welfare and further explains trumps supporters

Good post Victoria!

Tribalism explains a lot of what is wrong and bad in our politics and our society overall.