Is Tribalism And People Separating Themselves Into “Us” And “Them” Groups.............

[banker_frank]

Is tribalism and people separating themselves into “us” and “them” groups, a learned or genetic trait? Can it be overcome? If so, how?

How does creating ' in' groups (e.g. race, religion, sport team fans, people with a hobby, etc.) help and hurt society?

[banker_frank]

I have just discovered many more categories on this site. Is this in the wrong category? How does one change it?

[AB Editor]

Moved to Society & Culture for you.

[KARL]

The inclination toward making friends, wanting to be accepted, etc. is quite possibly genetic. Us-and-them grouping, very often/usually in the head rather than physically, is a learned cultural trait which is found at different levels of prevalence in different places. There are individuals, movements, etc. who/which deliberately give the assurance of acceptance in exchange for loyalty to "Us". This latter tendency is (to my observation) invariably damaging but it can be unlearned under helpful influence. Historically it has been unlearned as an aftermath of/through very deep crises (proving how destructive it is), although remaining traces are found probably in every one of such examples.

[banker_frank]

Thank you Karl for making the effort to answer my question

[sevenOP]

3 big questions.

"Is tribalism and people separating themselves into “us” and “them” groups, a learned or genetic trait? Can it be overcome? If so, how? "

https://www.quora.com/Is-tribalism-and-people-separating-themselves-into-us-and-them-groups-a-learned-or-genetic-trait-Can-it-be-overcome

"learned or genetic trait?" - I do not know for sure, but it may be similar to the 'nature or nurture' debate ie not proven.
I reckon tribalism can be overcome as I largely believe we are taught it directly - by school,family, peers, Media, and indirectly with sheer exposure to it. I think we are ALL conditioned from birth, before we develop the skills to avoid such programming.
This is thee major problem involving humanity. We may be able to remove some or most of this conditioning/indoctrination but I doubt ALL of it.

"How does creating ' in' groups (e.g. race, religion, sport team fans, people with a hobby, etc.) help and hurt society?"

That's a biggie ... not sure what you mean by 'in' groups... if you mean in vogue, that is an fad most times, aspirations to elitist and can be predominantly 'monkey see monkey do', but not always. Religion has a mixed record, sports team fans largely harmless distractions, people with a hobby usually fine (unless an antisocial hobby- crime,violence etc. - race can again be faddy, perfectly harmless tribal company, or dangerous gatherings.

If a person can discern and break away the conditioning we all have, all these 4 groups can be harmless and enjoyable .

[banker_frank]

Tribalism in the form of 'in' and 'out' groups is especially prevalent online in Forums and Discussion groups.

[shoota]

Are you one of 'us' Frank, or one of 'them'?

[sevenOP]

banker_frank
I have noticed that tendency too in forums, this one has a highly
'dry' majority

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wets_and_dries