Scientific Definition
Strong in-group loyalty paired with out-group skepticism.
Plain-English Definition
Strong in-group loyalty paired with out-group skepticism.
Feynman Explanation
Us-vs-them is the cheapest mobilization tool ever invented.
Core Principle
Strong in-group loyalty paired with out-group skepticism.
Mechanisms
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Inputs (Triggers)
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Outputs (Behaviors)
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Behavioral Signature
Us-vs-them is the cheapest mobilization tool ever invented.
Examples
- Cross-functional projects that stall because two tribes won't share credit.
- Tribal org structures move fast internally and break down at boundaries.
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Famous Experiments
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Design Principles
- Build cross-cutting identities and shared rituals across boundaries.
Measurement Approaches
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Evidence
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The Perverse Incentive Lens™
How this behavior is exploited — and how to redesign around it.
- Build cross-cutting identities and shared rituals across boundaries.
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Interactive Mini Network
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Knowledge Graph Neighbors
Auto-linked to the rest of the Human Behavior Taxonomy by family, domain, dimension, and shared keywords.
We defer to perceived expertise, rank, or uniform.
Membership in a group is a baseline human need.
We say yes more often to people we like.
Cooperation between unrelated agents when future reciprocity is likely.
Stored social capital from prior behavior.
Things feel more valuable when supply or time is limited.
Unwritten rules that govern behavior in a group.
Position in a hierarchy is a primary driver of behavior.
Shared identity ('we') drives compliance harder than shared interest.
Clear ownership of outcomes, not just tasks.
Asymmetric information attracts the worst counterparties.
Vastness that exceeds existing schemas dissolves the self briefly.