Affiliation, Groupthink, and Discrimination

Can you imagine no love, pride, deep fried chicken
Your best friend always sticking up for you
Even when I know you're wrong
--Train

Thomas Jefferson said that he sought kept his affiliations to a minimum in order to preserve independent thought. He understood that belonging to groups invites groupthink and clouds judgment.

Social identity theory posits that people join groups to enhance self-esteem. As they do so, individuals begin to assume characteristics thought to belong to the group.

To advance self-esteem, however, people must believe that they belong to the 'right' group. They will defend their group against perceived threats from outsiders. Group members will go also along with what the collective wants even if they personally believe it to be wrong. Failure to do so would constitute admission that their affiliation is a mistake.

A consequence of affiliation is inherent tendency to discriminate. Outsiders are apt to be seen as inferior in some way. Discrimination enhances self-esteem to be gained from joining groups.

Because he thought this was not a worthy route to self-esteem and sound judgment, Jefferson sought to be as group-free as possible.