I have always wondered why people have that need of belonging to a group, of following a leader, of becoming fanatics of something. I remember watching an atheist documentary which explained it very well but don't remember the title. Any ideas?
There are two types of animal: those who are born and just go off already knowing all there is for their lives, and those that rely on a parent. The ones that typically grow up in a family unit are almost always going to seek a family unit to belong to later. Humans are no different.
We are a pack animal. It's as simple as that
Man used to live in small enlarged family groups like chimps or gorilla so its natural unlike our hugely populated cities.
It’s a fundamental you need to belong. We’re basically pack animals.
Here is a good source for looking: [documentaryheaven.com]
The huyman being is a social creature. We define ourselves largely through our interactions with others, We all feel some need to belong, to b accepted. Carried to an extreme, that can make us almost completely dependent on what others say and do -- or tell us to do To some degree, we need to establish our own independence of thought and action so that we are free to define ourselves.
I was never in a group in high school. I tried the local atheist group, it didn't work out, thanks to one male atheist. The workout group on FB for atheists wasn't helping me. The Admin told me I'm skinny because of my depression. That wasn't true. I don't belong in the "coterie of gossip" at work. I don't want to be. Cliches are not my thing. I'm in this group only. It's more of a community to me though.
LOL at first I thought you were talking about our need to belong to this group. I think i've found a couple of those already. But I promise I'll not reference those anymore.
No, I wasn't talking about this group. I'm talking about religion, sports, nationalism, family... I know it's an evolutive trait because individuals left alone would be easier prey or die of illness but what purpose does it serve today, at least in the US? In other countries it have allowed for social changes benefiting the population but here it only creates division. I watched this documentary which explained it so much better. I just can't remember the tittle. I tried watching the BBC show Brief History of Disbelief but that wasn't it.
Its because we are social animals. Cities, villages etc. are based on this principle. Everyone around you has been conditioned to be social and your very environment is predicate on this.