#874 - Michael Morris - Why Are We More Divided Than Ever?
Dec 7, 2024
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Michael Morris, a professor of cultural psychology at Columbia University and author, dives into the deep waters of tribalism. He explores why humans naturally gravitate toward groups, touching on the evolutionary benefits and costs of this tendency. Morris discusses how language shapes social preferences more than race and examines the impact of technology on today's polarized societies. He also highlights the interplay between courage and community in challenging times, advocating for dialogue to bridge the increasing divides in modern life.
Tribalism, rooted in human evolution, fosters collaboration while also sometimes leading to hostility towards those outside the group.
The fragmentation of media and residential sorting intensifies political tribalism, limiting exposure to diverse viewpoints and increasing in-group favoritism.
Initiatives that focus on shared interests rather than divisive issues can effectively bridge divides and foster understanding among differing communities.
Deep dives
The Evolution of Tribalism
Tribalism has been ingrained in human psychology as an evolutionary strategy that fostered survival and collaboration within culture-sharing groups. Humans developed social quirks that enabled them to live in larger groups, enhancing their ability to share resources and knowledge across generations. This cultural evolution allowed humans to adapt better to their environments without necessarily requiring an increase in intelligence. Though tribal instincts can sometimes lead to negative behaviors, they also underlie many significant social achievements that are beneficial to society.
Cultural Influence on Tribalism
Debates around tribalism often ignore its cultural underpinnings, focusing instead on polarizing narratives that emphasize hostility towards outgroups. The concept of ‘toxic tribalism’ suggests a regression to innate aggression, which oversimplifies the complex nature of modern conflicts. The speaker contends that tribal instincts primarily drive solidarity within in-groups rather than hostility towards outsiders. By rethinking tribalism as a natural outcome of our evolution, we can approach societal issues with a more constructive mindset.
Impact of Media and Communities
The podcast highlights how contemporary political tribalism has been exacerbated by media fragmentation and residential sorting, leading to the creation of echo chambers. Historically, neighborhood interactions provided a broad range of viewpoints, but now individuals are often surrounded by like-minded peers. This shift has intensified in-group favoritism and hostility towards out-groups, as people are less likely to engage with differing opinions. Consequently, the challenge lies in overcoming these social barriers to encourage more dialogue and understanding among diverse communities.
Three Types of Tribal Instincts
The speaker identifies three major tribal instincts: the peer instinct, the hero instinct, and the ancestor instinct. The peer instinct drives individuals to conform to group norms and behaviors, fostering collaboration but sometimes stifling independent thought. The hero instinct motivates actions that contribute to the group's welfare, often driven by social recognition and the desire for status. Lastly, the ancestor instinct is the urge to maintain traditions and cultural practices passed down through generations, allowing groups to connect over shared heritage and identity.
Threats and Ceremonies in Cultures
Ceremonies play a significant role in reinforcing tribal instincts by creating shared experiences that emphasize unity and belonging. They serve as potent emotional triggers that can heighten group cohesion while simultaneously dampening critical thinking. Conversely, moments of threat—such as war or societal crises—can provoke a retreat into traditional beliefs and practices, often leading to increased polarization. Understanding how these dynamics operate can help in addressing and mitigating the negative consequences of tribalism.
Reframing Dialogue and Engagement
To effectively combat polarization, the focus should shift from confrontational political discourse to shared interests and experiences. Initiatives like Coffee Party USA, which prioritize bonding over common passions rather than polarizing issues, have shown promise in fostering understanding. Successful engagement relies on cultivating connections based on shared humanity, enabling individuals to navigate their differences with greater empathy. By embracing our tribal psychology in a constructive manner, society can move towards a more united and inclusive future.
Michael Morris is a professor of cultural psychology at Columbia University and an author.
Why are humans so tribal? Despite our capacity for empathy and inclusion, why do we always gravitate toward groups of similar individuals? And is there such a thing as good tribalism?
Expect to learn why tribalism exists and how it evolved in humans, why we can hate people outside of our group and why we become hostile, if the modern world has worsened tribal instincts, whether tribalism is actually a good thing for our society, why so many people identify as not the opposition instead of as for their own group and much more…
