The unity principle: Harnessing the power of our tribal instincts
We tend to favour those we consider to be one of us.
Which groups do you feel strongly connected to?
What emotions do you experience when your favourite sports team wins or loses?
Why do collectives often use kinship labels such as ‘brother’, ‘sister’ and ‘family’?
✳️✳️✳️
The unity principle is our tendency to favour those we consider to be one of us.
We automatically divide people into those who belong to our group (us) and those who do not (them). We favour those who belong to our group, also called tribe or in-group. The well-being of our group members is more important to us than that of non-members. We offer group members more support, resources, and opportunities than non-members. And we tend to use the beliefs and behaviour of our group members to guide our own.
The unity principle is a bias that has deep evolutionary roots. Our hunter-gatherer ancestors could not survive without being part of a tribe. Favouring members of one's own tribe ensured mutual protection and sharing of resources, increasing the likelihood of survival for everyone within the tribe. Humans are tribal animals.
The feeling of unity is based on tribe-like characteristics that we use to define our groups. Family groups are based on family and kinship ties. Social groups are based on factors such as race, ethnicity, culture, religion, gender and sexual orientation. Interest groups are based on specific interests, such as being fan of a certain sports club or having a shared hobby. Geographical groups are based on geographic locations such as neighbourhood, town, region or country. Political and ideological groups are based on alignment with political parties, ideological movements and advocacy groups. Comradeship groups (bands of brothers/sisters) are based on the strong sense of unity that comes from sharing intense experiences together, such as fighting in a war, fighting fires, and responding to emergencies. We can belong to multiple groups at the same time.
The strength of our identification with a particular group influences the extent to which we adhere to the unity principle. When we strongly identify with our in-group, we are more likely to demonstrate favouritism, loyalty, solidarity, and cooperation with group members, while also exhibiting more suspicion, distrust, or hostility toward out-group members.
Examples of the unity principle
👉 Supporting a sports team often involves a strong sense of identification with the team. When the team wins, we feel a sense of pride and achievement, as if we had won ourselves. Conversely, when the team loses, we may experience disappointment, frustration, and even a sense of personal failure.
👉 From an evolutionary perspective, we strive to ensure the survival of our genes, not only our own, but also copies of them in related family members. Therefore, we are very inclined to support genetically close relatives, especially our descendants. To create a feeling of unity among members, collectives leverage the power of kinship by using kinship labels such as ‘brother’, ‘sister‘ and ‘family’.
👉 Companies create a sense of unity through team-building events where team members work together to tackle a range of intense challenges, such as wilderness retreats, demanding obstacle courses and whitewater rafting.
👉 Loyalty lies are deliberate lies that group members tell to protect the reputation of their own group. For example, members may lie to cover up instances of unethical behaviour within the group, or to shift blame to individuals outside the group. These lies stem from a sense of loyalty to the group. Members view telling lies that strengthen the group as morally superior to telling truths that weaken the group. Tribalism trumps truth.
👉 Romantic partners can reduce their disagreements by highlighting their shared identity as a couple. For example, by using the words ‘us’, ‘our’ and ‘we’, or by emphasising feelings of caring. During a disagreement, partners may lose sight of their shared identity because they focus on what they disagree on rather than on their partnership. Our behaviour is always guided by the things we are focusing on at that moment.
Potentially adverse effects of the unity principle
👉 Within tightly knit groups, the unity principle can discourage accountability and oversight because members may hesitate to address misconduct within their own group for fear of disrupting unity. This can allow unethical behaviour to go unchecked, which can have harmful consequences for individuals and the wider community. The Roman Catholic Church, for example, has faced numerous scandals related to its attempts to cover up cases of child sexual abuse by clergy members.
👉 The unity principle can inadvertently lead to the exclusion of individuals who do not fit within the shared identity of an organisation. This exclusion can limit the diversity of ideas, experiences and viewpoints, hindering innovation and problem solving. For example, in academia, scientists who do not conform to the prevailing ideologies within an institution may face exclusion or discrimination.
👉 Within a close-knit team, the unity principle can foster a culture of groupthink, in which dissent is discouraged in favour of maintaining harmony. As a result, critical analysis and innovative solutions may be stifled, leading to suboptimal outcomes or missed opportunities for growth and improvement. Disastrous military campaigns, such as the escalation of the Vietnam War and the invasion of Iraq, are often cited as examples of groupthink.
👉 In social or political contexts, the unity principle can contribute to the marginalisation or discrimination against individuals perceived as out-group members. This bias can manifest itself in discriminatory policies, exclusionary practices, or even acts of violence.
How to reduce the adverse impact of the unity principle
Protecting ourselves from the negative consequences of biases can be tiresome and impractical, but it can be worth it when the stakes are high.
⚒️ Become aware of the unity principle
Becoming aware of the potential adverse influence of the unity principle is the first step in reducing its impact.
Whenever you make an important decision involving your loyalty to a group, take a step back to examine whether the influence of the unity principle could lead to adverse consequences for yourself or others, both within and outside of your group. Ask yourself questions such as:
🤔 Do I base my decision primarily on my loyalty to the group? Examine whether your decision-making process is based on objective criteria rather than group loyalty. Loyalty may make you reluctant to express differing opinions or overlook conflicts of interest or misconduct.
🤔 Do I embrace alternative perspectives and differing opinions? By embracing diverse perspectives and constructive criticism, also from people outside your group, you can foster a more robust decision-making process that takes into account a range of viewpoints and avoids groupthink.
🤔 Do I challenge assumptions and stereotypes? To foster a more inclusive decision-making process, critically examine any underlying assumptions and stereotypes that may influence your perceptions and decisions.
🤔 Do I take into account the potential impact on others? To help you assess the fairness and inclusivity of your choices, consider how your decisions may affect several others, including those not closely aligned with your group.
🤔 Is this decision truly aligned with my needs and goals, life purpose and personal values? Assess whether the decision aligns with what you genuinely want or need, regardless of the tendency to favour group members or be loyal to your group.
If you become aware that the impact of the unity principle may have negative consequences for yourself or others, take steps to mitigate its effects to allow for a more objective evaluation of your options.
⚒️ Practice independent thinking
One strategy to overcome the negative effects of the unity principle as an individual is to cultivate self-awareness and actively practice independent thinking.
To implement this strategy effectively:
👉 Improve your critical thinking skills by learning to objectively assess information, question assumptions, and analyse arguments based on evidence and logic.
👉 Actively seek differing perspectives and opinions from individuals with different backgrounds, experiences and points of view.
👉 Be willing to challenge group norms and question decisions or actions that are driven primarily by group cohesion rather than reasoned analysis.
👉 Trust your own judgment, even if it means deviating from the consensus or expressing differing opinions. Develop the confidence to stand by your convictions and advocate for what you believe is right, even in the face of opposition or social pressure.
👉 Strive to understand the perspectives of others, especially those who may feel marginalised or excluded within your social or professional circles.
👉 Resist the pressure to conform to groupthink. Strive for a balanced and nuanced understanding of complex issues, recognising shades of grey rather than succumbing to black-and-white thinking.
🎉👏🎈
We tend to favour those we consider to be one of us. This unity principle often facilitates cooperation and promotes social harmony and mutual support. However, its adverse effects can discourage accountability and oversight, lead to the exclusion of individuals, and promote a culture of groupthink. Developing self-awareness and actively practicing independent thinking can mitigate these negative consequences.
References
Influence, New and Expanded: The Psychology of Persuasion, by Robert B. Cialdini PhD
This Should Be Labeled a Universal Principle of Influence, Psychology Today, Robert Cialdini Ph.D.
My blogposts about influence are available here:
https://www.a3lifedesign.com/blog-english/category/Influence
