Behaviour Quote by Will Storr
““the only thing necessary to trigger tribal behaviour in humans is the creation of two completely arbitrary groups. Leave them alone in a room and watch it all begin:””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Science of Storytelling, Will Storr, 2019
Human tendency to form tribal groups arises from arbitrary categorization, leading to conflict when groups are isolated.
In simple terms: Arbitrary groups cause tribal conflict.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and avoid unnecessary group divisions.
Themes
psychology
conflict
group dynamics
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
observational
analytical
When to use this quote
- workplace teams
- political factions
- online communities
- neighborhood disputes
Key Concepts
social identity
tribalism
categorization
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you identify arbitrary group boundaries?
- What shared values can bridge divided groups?
A Different Perspective
Tribalism can also be mitigated by shared goals and cooperation.
