How we change what others think, feel, believe and do

Minimum Group Bonding

Explanations > Groups > Minimum Group Bonding

Description | Discussion | See also

Description

What does it take for a group to become a group? The answer is some point of similarity or even coincidence. If a person is put in a group of strangers, they will easily and quickly form some form of bond with the group. identifying with them at some level and forming common interests.

The formation of group identity intensifies if a set of people have a common focus which gives them more reason to collaborate, such as escaping a threat or fighting a common enemy.

The more they talk and listen, they more they will find they have in common. And the more people find they have in common, the more they will group together. 

Discussion

One of the reasons for cohering with those around you is threat reduction. If you can get them to like you, then they are less likely to harm you in any way.

We have evolved as a tribal species for good reasons. The attention and respect that is paid to groups is different from that which individuals receive. Being a member of a group confers benefits of status as well as protection.

See also

Minimum Group Theory, Bonding principle

Tajfel, H. (1970). Experiments in intergroup discrimination. Scientific American, 223, 96-102.