Tribalism: What, Why & Overcoming

Tribalism is deeply rooted in our evolutionary history. For early humans, group cohesion was critical for survival. Tribes provided protection from predators, shared resources, and collective problem-solving. Loyalty to one's tribe ensured mutual support and cooperation, making group survival more likely.

The "us versus them" mindset was also an adaptive tool for recognizing threats. Outsiders could be competitors for resources or pose direct danger, and early humans needed to quickly identify and react to these risks. This instinct ensured the survival of tightly-knit groups, but it also laid the groundwork for intergroup conflict.

Negative Effects

In modern times, the same instincts that helped our ancestors survive often manifest in less constructive ways, such as political polarization, cultural conflicts, online echo chambers and stereotyping. Toxic tribalism arises when group loyalty eclipses critical thinking and empathy. This can lead to behaviors like scapegoating, demonizing out-groups, and resisting collaboration or compromise. Social media amplifies these divisions by promoting content that reinforces group identity and outrage, further entrenching people in their beliefs and making dialogue across divides more difficult.

Overcoming Tribalism

Developing Empathy helps individuals understand and appreciate the experiences and perspectives of those outside their group. This can reduce biases and promote connection across divides.

Focusing on Common Goals such as climate change or public health crises, can shift focus from competition to collaboration, encouraging groups to work together for mutual benefit.

Encouraging Critical Thinking by promoting education and dialogue that challenge group biases can help individuals evaluate information objectively and avoid blind loyalty to their in-group.

Fostering Intergroup Contact through interactions with people from different backgrounds or beliefs can reduce prejudice and foster mutual respect.

Creating Inclusive Narratives through shifting the focus from narrow group identities to broader, inclusive identities—such as global citizenship—can help reduce the divisive effects of tribalism.

Learn More at Segal, E. (2019). When Tribalism Goes Bad.