Tribalism

In today’s world, the term "tribalism" often evokes strong emotions. While its origins lie in humanity’s ancient need to survive and belong, tribalism has evolved into something far more complex. It influences our politics, culture, and daily interactions in ways we may not even realize. In America, where diversity and individualism are celebrated, tribalism often manifests in ways that can unite or divide us. This blog explores the roots of tribalism, how it shapes our identities, and why understanding its influence is crucial for fostering empathy and cooperation in an increasingly polarised society.

Tribalism has its roots in humanity’s earliest days when survival depended on forming close-knit groups. Early humans lived in harsh environments where food, safety, and resources were scarce. Belonging to a tribe or community offered protection from predators, the ability to hunt and gather collectively, and share knowledge essential for survival.

Within these tribes, loyalty and cooperation were vital. Members needed to trust one another implicitly because a weak link could jeopardize the entire group. This created a strong “us vs. them” mentality, where outsiders were often viewed as threats. Tribalism, in this sense, was adaptive—it ensured survival in a dangerous world by establishing unity and mutual reliance.

While the need for physical survival has diminished, the psychological need to belong remains. Modern tribalism isn’t about protection from predators but about identity, security, and community in an increasingly complex world. In terms of cultural complex in diverse societies, cultural tribalism can manifest in how people cling to shared traditions, languages, or beliefs. For example, immigrant communities often form cultural “tribes” to preserve their heritage and navigate a society that might feel unfamiliar or unwelcoming. While this can create strong support networks, it can also lead to divisions if different cultural groups feel pitted against one another.

Politics of today has possibly become one of the most visible examples of tribalism. Political parties often operate less as platforms for shared ideas and more as tribes demanding loyalty. In the U.S., the divide between Democrats and Republicans illustrates this boldly. People often adopt not just political beliefs, but entire worldviews aligned with their “tribe.” This can make it difficult to find common ground, as opposing tribes are seen as enemies rather than fellow citizens. A great example of this was seen during the 2024 election for President of the U.S., where it's believed that if you are not with me, then you are against me and there was no time for honest discussions.

Social tribalism can be seen in everything from social media echo chambers to sports fandoms. Algorithms amplify tribal tendencies by showing us content that aligns with our views, reinforcing the sense that “our tribe” is right and everyone else is wrong. Similarly, fierce loyalty to a sports team or brand can foster camaraderie but also hostility toward rivals. Be aware, there is a difference between historical and modern tribalism. Historical tribalism in rooted in physical survival, characterised by small, face-to-face groups. Modern tribalism is rooted in identity and belonging, often amplified by technology and societal structures, with global reach but less direct, personal interaction.

Political tribalism occurs when political parties or ideologies become more than just a set of beliefs, they become part of an individual’s identity as we see every day in American news. This allegiance often leads people to prioritise loyalty to their party over critical thinking or objective truth. There is so much misinformation being released by the news media and corrupt politicians to increase the numbers in their tribes, convincing them to believe the best choice has been made for them. For example:

• Partisan Loyalty: Voters may support candidates or policies not because they are with them, but because they align with their party's stance without asking questions or requesting verification of the facts.

  
  

• Separation: Opposing parties are seen as enemies rather than as fellow citizens with different views, leading to gridlock, hostility, and extreme violence like the insurrection of the U.S. Capital on January 6, 2021, by rioters supporting U.S. President Trump's attempts to overturn his defeat in the 2020 presidential election. It's crystal clear that the U.S. political landscape is a clear example, where Democrats and Republicans are not just political entities but cultural symbols of larger worldviews.

Tribalism also exists in all our social movements. Social movements often begin with a shared mission, such as fighting injustice or advocating for a cause. However, they can evolve into tribes where the in-group sees themselves as morally superior, and anyone outside of the movement or critical of it, is viewed as an adversary. While some movements welcome allies, other may alienate potential supporters through rigid ideological purity or "cancel culture." Just to be clear, cancel culture is a cultural phenomenon where people are ostracised, boycotted, or shunned for their actions or words. It's often supported by social media and can extend to social or professional circles. Even within movements, smaller tribes can form, leading to infighting that weakens the overall cause.

Fans, whether for sports teams, celebrities, or entertainment fanbase often exemplify modern tribalism in a lighter, yet still significant way. Fans tend to adopt their tribe as part of their personal identity, leading to fierce loyalty. Competing fans engage in hostile behaviour, from online trolling to in-person altercation.

Does the role of media, algorithms, and misinformation play a role in tribalism? The media plays a significant role in shaping tribalism by emphasising conflict and sensationalising differences. Many media outlets cater to specific tribes, reinforcing their views while vilifying others. Stories are often designed to appeal to the emotions and fears of their target or priority audience, deepening divides. Social media algorithms are designed to maximise engagement and reinforce beliefs, often by showing users content that aligns with their existing views to keep them engaged. Algorithms are very clever in the way they repeatedly expose people to like-minded opinions. The constant reinforcement can lead to more extreme positions, as users feel validated by the apparent unanimity within their tribe. As most wise people know, false or misleading information spreads faster than facts, particularly when it aligns with tribal narratives. Regardless, if the information is true or false, people are more likely to believe and share information that supports their tribe's worldview. We saw lots of misinformation during COVID-19 when President Trump refused to listen to the sound advice of his Chief Medical Advisor on COVID, Dr. Anthony Fauci and tried convincing his tribe or fans to inject bleach into their bodies to combat the disease. To this day, I still don't understand why people trust and believe in this man.

What are the positive aspects of tribalism:

• Creating Belonging: Humans are social creatures, and the need to belong is a fundamental psychological drive. Tribalism creates communities where people feel understood, valued, and supported.

  
  

• Building Solidarity: Tribalism can unify people around a common cause, creating strong bonds and collective strength. For example, social movements like the Civil Rights Movement or climate activism rely on a sense of solidarity to rally people and drive change.

  
  

• Enabling Collective Action: When people join as a group, they can accomplish more than they could individually. I like to think of it as team building. Tribalism facilitates coordination and collaboration. Often, grassroots efforts in disaster relief or community building projects often stem from a shared tribal identity, whether regional, cultural or ideological.

  
  

• Cultural Preservation & Identity: Tribalism helps communities maintain tradition, languages and values fostering cultural diversity. Immigrant communities or communities of colour often form cultural tribes to preserve their heritage while navigating life in a new environment.

What are the negative aspects of tribalism:

• Exclusion: While tribalism encourages belonging to a group, it often creates rigid boundaries that exclude outsiders. This "us vs. them" mentality can lead to hostility toward those who don't fit the tribe's image. In workplaces, cliques or tightly knit teams may alienate others, stifling diversity of thought and inclusion.

  
  

• Polarisation: Tribalism can amplify divisions, especially when groups are pitted again one another. It's an inability to see common ground, deepening societal rifts. Political polarisation in America is a prime example, with tribalism creating animosity between groups to the extent that compromise becomes nearly impossible.

  
  

• Destruction of Nuanced Discussion: Tribal loyalty can discourage critical thinking and the ability to have an open dialogue. Members may feel pressured to conform to their tribe's views, even when they disagree. This stifles diversity of thought and leads to echo chambers or an environment in which a person encounters only beliefs or opinions that coincide with their own, so that their existing views are reinforced, and alternative ideas are not considered. On social media platforms, online debates frequently devolve into shouting matches, with each side dismissing the other's points without engaging meaningfully and learning from each other. Early in life I learned that it's a waste of time to argue or have a discussion with someone who knows everything and refuses to listen to anyone else with a different approach or ideas.

• Perpetuation of Conflict: Tribalism thrives on maintaining a sense of opposition, which can escalate conflicts unnecessarily. This is the act of actively prolonging disagreements, essentially keeping it going by actions that prevent a resolution, often through repeating patterns of behaviour. Rivalries between nations, religions, or ideologies often become entrenched, making circumstances for solving or discussing issues more difficult.

I wanted to do my research on the topic of Tribalism to learn more about myself and others. My partner mentioned it many times over the past few years, but I was uncertain if I understood what it meant. So, I decided to take a closer look at myself, starting with self-reflection and awareness. Strategies for recognising in ourselves and others include:

• Self-Reflection and Awareness: First, examine your own biases & allegiances. Ask yourself:

  • Am I dismissing someone's perspective solely because they belong to another race or group?

  • Do I feel defensive or antagonistic toward certain people without fully understanding their point of view? Journaling or discussing your thoughts with a neutral third party that you trust can help uncover hidden biases.

    
    

• Notice "Us vs. Them" Thinking

  • Tribalism often surfaces as an instinct to divide the world into allies and opponents. Try to recognise when you're labelling people or groups as good or bad based solely on their connections, religion, skin colour, languages, or affiliations.

    
    

• Listen for Echo Chamber Language

  • Pay attention to repetitive narratives or slogans within your group. If everyone is saying the same thing without questioning it, tribalism may be at play. Someone with information will make a claim, which many like-minded people then repeat, overhear, and repeat again until most people assume that some extreme variation of the story is true.

    
    

• Observe Emotional Reactions

  • Strong emotional reactions, such as anger or fear, often signal tribal instincts. When these feelings arise, pause and reflect on their source by asking:

    • Is this reaction based on facts or assumptions?

    • Am I reacting to the individual or the group they represent?

      
      

• Search for Common Ground

  • Recognise and try to understand that individuals are more than their group affiliations. Ask yourself:

    • What do we have in common?

    • Can I appreciate their values, even if I disagree with their methods or findings?

Is there a way to bridge divides and create collaboration? There are several things that can be done to make situations better and it starts with engaging in active listening. Try approaching conversations with genuine curiosity and an open mind. It helps to focus on understanding instead of forming a rebuttal. Several phrases can help, such as, "Help me to understand why you feel that way" or "Can you tell me about your perspective?"

It's helpful to identify shared goals, values, and common ground. Shared concerns, like family, safety, or community well-being can unite people from different tribes or communities. Try interacting with people from different tribes or communities in positive settings, such as community engagement events. Although it may take a while, personal connections humanise others and reduce prejudice. When encountering a stereotype about another group, seek out direct interactions or diverse sources of information to challenge that narrative. As difficult as it may sound, try focusing on solving shared problems rather than debating differences. Collaboration tends to build trust and shows us that progress is possible despite disagreements. A positive step is getting involved in community initiatives, like neighbourhood clean-ups or public health campaigns. They can create opportunities for people from different groups to work together.

Lessons in life have taught me to practice stepping into someone else's shoes. Consider their upbringing, experiences, and fears that may shape their worldview. Whenever there is a chance, I like talking to people to find out more about them and to answer any question they may have about me. Just a reminder, it takes time to build trust.

Every time I go for walks at night around my neighbourhood, it helps me to clear my thoughts while enjoying many of the people that I may see, without being judgmental of the way they look, dress, or speak. It helps me to be open and aware of my surroundings and myself without feeling any fears. It also provides the time for me to address any negative thoughts that may enter my mind, even if for a few seconds before I am able to analyse them and make the needed corrections to keep me in a positive headspace.

Learning to recognise tribalism requires humility and the willingness to admit that we all have blind spots. Developing collaboration demands adaptability, where we value connection over always being 'right'. Together, the qualities allow us to bridge divides and build a more inclusive, cooperative society.