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Groupism

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Groupism is the basic notion that human beings are naturally divided into various forms of groups with different laws or norms and a system where this conformity brings reciprocal benefits or rewards.[1] Groupists assume some human beings tend to have stronger affinity and obligation to a particular group in which the members of a group strive towards a common goal under the influence of an authority figure.[2] It is not limited to the word "group-ism" which is defined as the behavior of a member of a group where they think and act as the group norm at the expense of individualism.[3] The concept of groupism can be applied in varied ways for disciplines such as sociology, social psychology, anthropology, political history and philosophy. The term originated around mid 19th century and the first known use of the word recorded was in 1851. It is a general definition often used in Indian English as the tendency to form factions in a system setting. The term had also been used for “the principles or practices of Oxford Group movement” which is now historical and rare.[4] Groupism has been critically viewed for its stereotypical approach of social and political analysis by sociologists such as Roger Brubaker. The positive aspects of groupism in many behavioural and social psychology research associate it's cause to evolution of humans as a social species and the social status and sense of belonging that comes with identifying oneself or being identified as an individual in different categories of group. Some evidence of negative influence involves social loafing which is when the presence of other members in a group causes some to avoid responsibilities ans social disruption whereby the presence of others negatively influences the performance of tasks. Social issues such as prejudice, discrimination, racism and nationalism can be ascribed to groupism.

Historical consequences

According to historical perspective, war is a structural manifestation of groupism. Nationalism is a form of groupism which generally began as a sense of security provided by national identity to an unquestioning acceptance of a political agenda. It is based based on an abstract mentality of “victory” in one’s own group and considering the “other” as a separate entity.[2] The irrational obedience of German citizens during the Nazi regime of the 1930s and 1940s holocaust is a well known example of the negative consequences rooted in groupism. Another more recent example is the ongoing attempt of cultural genocide of minorities around the world. In terms of Legal studies, international lawyer Philip Allot has criticized the concept of state sovereignty in the current international laws in promoting groupism and the lack of reform in the 21st century context based on the disastrous consequences seen in the past generations.

Sociological perspective

Roger Brubaker

Groupism according to American sociologist Roger Brubaker is the view that division among humans is an absolute, unchanging entity rather than a changing variable subject to time and context.[5] The concept assumes essentialisation of a particular group as a "metaphysically stationary" reality rather than considering that specific groups are labelled as an epistemological framework.[6] In the example of ethnic groups, it involves viewing an individual in the group as the collective representative of the values or conflicts associated with the social norm of that group.[7] Groupism has been a broader yet more fundamental aspect of social analysis of nationalism, ethnicity, race, religion, gender, sexuality, age, class[8] or even groups with combination of these categories but with a common interest in other universal categories like sports, music and values. It is commonly seen on everyday context in media reports and even academic research leading to policy analysis.

Research in social psychology

Humans as a social species

There has been many scientific evidence from early hominids in Africa that shows human have evolved in small social groups that are predisposed to include or exclude others in an instinctual manner.[9] Research by anthropologist Robin Dunbar suggested that the ratio of the size of the neocortex to the brain size determines the amount of social relationship in different species and found that humans have relatively high social brain that can have tendency to form greater interpersonal networks of small groups than animals such as chimpanzees and dolphins with smaller neocortex size to brain size ratio hence smaller number of relationships.[10] Groupism has been explained in terms of a biological need to form social bonds according to the need to belong theory whereby deprivation of this need has been shown to have biopsychosocial consequences.[11] From the perspective of evolution, social influences on the individual based on natural selection has led to better adaptation and survival in various environments. Social facilitation which is a phenomenon proposed by Robert Zajonc is another example of the positive aspects of groupism where the presence and influence of diverse groups enhances the performance of a task. This is the opposite of social disruption whereby the presence of others negatively influences the performance of tasks that are relatively difficult.

Influences of groupism

Persuasion through individuals, sub-groups or the group as a whole leads to behavioural change without rational choice. It also involves the power of normative influence from one's heritage, culture and tradition to which people comply with its social norms to gain recognition or to avoid other's disapproval.

Groupism in Japan

Japanese human resources has been generally referenced as a prominent example of the result a group oriented society known for their high productivity, cooperative attitude and surpassing international competitive strength. Some of the key aspects of groupism in Japanese society has been discussed in the journal article, 'The Paradox of Japan's Groupism: Threat to Future Competitiveness' by Kanji Haitani.[1]

  1. Identity and well being: unmei kyodotai meaning "communities of shared destiny" is a core principle in Japanese culture where individual's well being and sense of security is maximised as a result of recognition and prosperity they get as a group.
  2. Seniority: There is close correlation between a member's age and their rank in a system.
  3. Emphasis on the relationships of harmony and conflict (wa): The wa concept encompasses the concept of 'Isshin – dotai' meaning 'one mind – same body'. Here 'one mind' refers to how senior members take into account the views of junior members who reciprocally internalizes the wisdom of the senior members.
  4. The insider-outsider mentality: Insider and Outsider groups are generally separated with clear distinction and the latter is treated indifferently.
  5. Rank and status consciousness
  6. The closed nature of Japanese market in context of international economy
Social hierarchy in traditional music making process

The ryūha-iemoto system refers to social organisation in Japanese traditional music making which is shown to be dominated by the hierarchical form of groupism. This involves an authoritative group called "Miyagi- ha" at the top of hierarchy who gets the greatest benefits of musical freedom, recognition, power and money. This group is known for transmission of their composition to subgroups down in the heirarchy. One of the characteristics of this form of social organisation involves lifetime affiliation as a subgroup member whereby there is no "graduation" or "becoming a free musician".[12]

Prejudice and discrimination

Prejudice against certain groups of people is rooted in groupism whereby conclusions or attitude about a group of people is drawn without evaluating the evidence and often leads to discrimination which refers to the behaviour of treating other groups in a different way than one's own group.[9]

  • In-group bias: The tendency to favor members of one's own group than a person outside the group such as in sports or celebrity fan behavior.
  • Out group homogeneity: The tendency to view all members from other groups as highly similar rather than viewing them as individuals.

These concepts are broadly summarised in terms of groupism and has negative consequences in the workplace or any form of system.

References

  1. ^ a b Haitani, Kanji (1990-03). "The Paradox of Japan's Groupism: Threat to Future Competitiveness?". Asian Survey. 30 (3): 237–250. doi:10.1525/as.1990.30.3.01p03644. ISSN 0004-4687. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ a b Latella, Matthew (1994). "Rethinking Groupism: An Alternative to the Postmodern Strategy". Dalhousie J. Legal Stud. 3: 137.
  3. ^ "Groupism". Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. Retrieved 24 September 2018. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  4. ^ "groupism | Definition of groupism in English by Oxford Dictionaries". Oxford Dictionaries | English. Retrieved 2018-10-18.
  5. ^ "Ethnicity without Groups", Remaking Modernity, Duke University Press, 2005-01-11, pp. 470–492, doi:10.1215/9780822385882-016, ISBN 978-0-8223-8588-2
  6. ^ editor., Roth, Klaus, 1939- editor. Kartarı, Asker, 1952- (2016). Cultures of crisis in Southeast Europe. ISBN 978-3-643-90763-9. OCLC 951762202. {{cite book}}: |last= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ Valkonen, Jarno; Valkonen, Sanna; Koivurova, Timo (2016-06-19). "Groupism and the politics of indigeneity: A case study on the Sámi debate in Finland". Ethnicities. 17 (4): 526–545. doi:10.1177/1468796816654175. ISSN 1468-7968.
  8. ^ Brubaker, Rogers (2004), "Ethnicity without groups", Ethnicity, Nationalism, and Minority Rights, Cambridge University Press, pp. 50–77, doi:10.1017/cbo9780511489235.004, ISBN 978-0-511-48923-5
  9. ^ J., Lawler, Edward (1986). Advances in group processes : a research annual. JAI Press. ISBN 978-0-89232-572-6. OCLC 21052740.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ Dunbar, R. I. M. (1993-12). "Coevolution of neocortical size, group size and language in humans". Behavioral and Brain Sciences. 16 (4): 681. doi:10.1017/s0140525x00032325. ISSN 0140-525X. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  11. ^ Baumeister, Roy F.; Leary, Mark R. (1995). "The need to belong: Desire for interpersonal attachments as a fundamental human motivation". Psychological Bulletin. 117 (3): 497–529. doi:10.1037//0033-2909.117.3.497. ISSN 0033-2909. PMID 7777651.
  12. ^ Halliwell, Patrick (2004). "Groupism and Individualism in Japanese Traditional Music". The World of Music. 46: 2.
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