This post was inspired why the book, the laws of human nature by Robert Greene. 

Which is a book I advise everyone to read as it is a vast well of knowledge into the psychology of humans and our very nature at it’s core. 

What is the group effect? 

As social beings we have this longing to become to a particular group who share similar ideas to us. We want to be surrounded by like minded people make them feel our superiority or see us a equals. 

It is for this very reason that we form groups and cliques because we crave to be a part of something. We seek that external validation from others. 

But the group we join has a tremendous hold on us that we either don’t want to acknowledge because we believe we are acting on our free will or that we don’t even realize. 

How does the group effect play out?

When opting to belong to any group there are always certain ideas promulgated across the group. 

A classic example of the group effect is how people pile up at stadium to watch a football game even though the angles from the home broadcast are way better and you can see the game easily. 

But they choose to come to the stadium inorder to be surrounded with other fans and feel the game buzz so that once their team scores, they can all roar with one voice. 

This is an example of a mild group effects. 

An extreme version would that which took place in communist china and was depicted in the book, Born Red by Goa Yuan. 

The book was the non fictional account of what happened in his school during the reign of Moa Zedeng. 

The reason why people are so willing  to die for a cause is due to this group effect. 

3 defining factors of a group is a set of ideologies, a form of idolization of it’s leaders and disdain for enemies (which aren’t members of the group) 

Some groups have all these factors at certain high peaks while some groups have it all low peaks but all groups have them. 

I know it doesn’t seem logical but once in a group, it’s like our emotions are heightened and we can justify any action that the group makes as valid even though it goes against our personal morals. 

Not wanting to be seen as different from the group we soon find ourselves chanting their cleverly written slogans, singing their songs and raising their banners. 

This need for validation comes in and before you know it, we have adopted the group’s way of thinking and by so giving away the most powerful instrument we have as higher animals which is the ability to think for ourselves. 

It seems a bit far fetched that we are willing to die for a cause that the group advocates for. But notice members from other groups different to yours, notice how they speak, act and all behave the same. Notice how they rarely want to be associated with outsiders. 

Then analyze your own actions and notice how you subtly change once in the presence of the group and how the groups and factions you are in now are taking root and controlling you. 

Everyone is under this choke hold, it’s the effect of the group and to go otherwise would mean to risk ostracizing from group members. 

Closing Remarks

Be hyper aware of the group effect and how it plays out. 

Understand how it works in your group dynamic and begin to slowly reshapen your values. 

I am by no means saying that we should all quit the groups we belong to but instead be aware to the pull from the group which may be positive or negative. 

That feeling that you need to believe what has been said even though it doesn’t quite sit with you, pay attention.