Friendship
Your brain unconsciously, and constantly, defines “in-groups” and “out-groups.”
From cheering on your country at the Olympics to more arbitrary distinctions, your brain is built to identify “us” and “them.”
This cognitive process adds to the pleasure of engaging in competition.
It is also a mechanism that allows your brain to find familiarity, even when it may not actually exist.
In research, simply dividing a group by coin flip (heads or tails groups) resulted in an instantly higher sense of connection with others who received the same side of the coin.
It is no surprise that a team is innately drawn towards defining their nature or identity; naming it creates a sense of certainty.
Creating an in-group identity builds trust, fosters connection, and increases in-team altruism.
Creating an in-group also necessarily establishes an out-group.
Your brain will want to label this as a good or bad thing; it is neither.
The goal cannot be to break down all in-group or out-group processes, nor can it be to establish a utopian singular in-group.
The goal is to build awareness and recognize where binary group-defining processes are at play.
From that awareness, the opportunity is to create bonds that connect beyond the binary group distinctions of the mind.
You will have in-groups and out-groups.
By recognizing common in-groups and even out-groups that separate you, the bond of friendship can emerge in unexpected places.
The camaraderie experienced through the challenge of competition can create friendship which bridges in-group and out-group processing.
Coffee energizes, friendship harmonizes,
- Morning Cup