The psychology of groups: how identity politics works

It’s often assumed that identity politics stems from marginalized groups. In reality, it’s something engaged in equally by everyone. Every form of politics is driven by identity.

The psychologist Henri Tajfel conducted pioneering research into why people mentally divide each other into groups, forming an “us versus them” mentality that quickly produces hostility for those that we do not identify with.

Tajfel himself was denied a place at university in Poland because he was Jewish. After moving to France, he enlisted in World War II only to be captured by German forces. Since they saw Tajfel as a French prisoner of war, they spared his life.

Upon release, Tajfel learned that his family had died in the Holocaust – which surely would have been his fate too if he had been categorized under a different identity.

As a psychologist, Tajfel began a series of experiments that would become known as the minimum viable group paradigm. It sorted people into random associations to see how quickly a collective identity would take hold.

The results showed that people naturally favor members of their own collective while discriminating against members of a different one – even when the groups were completely arbitrary. These mental dividing lines extend throughout all aspects of life.

Sport is a perfect example. Think of how emotionally invested people get in a team that's run as a business – one where the stadium, sponsor, and players are all subject to change. Yet some are prepared to obsess – and even start riots – over their team’s fortunes.

This group connection is common to all identities. Politics can incorporate various groups under one umbrella, often taking on life-and-death importance. A Democrat, for example, can also be gay, vegan and atheist. Political scientist Lilliana Mason calls this a “mega identity.”

In high-stakes situations, a group's identity becomes so powerful that hostility towards another group becomes overwhelming. People will not easily change their affiliation with a group. This tribalism has a far greater influence on political behavior than policies.

Identity is fundamental to even the largest groups, not just marginalized ones. These dynamics now appear more visible than ever as identity politics becomes weaker, not stronger. Today there are so many competing identities that it’s impossible for one to be considered the norm.