For all those who had believed in Natural Progress, or the essential decency of the Common People, the Robbers’ Cave experiment came as a profound shock.[1] In 1954 researchers took an essentially homogenous group of boys to a summer camp in the Robbers Cave State Park in Oklahoma in the USA. After some mixing, they were divided into two groups and set into a programme of competitive sports and activities. A profound animosity quickly developed between the two groups which spilled over into extra curricular violence, including incidents such as flag burning and raids on buildings.
Conflict theory had been born[2] It is the study of the -ability? Tendency? pathological instinct?- we can’t find the word- of humans to divide themselves into groups based upon perceived differences. And to fight lethally over these differences ever after. One of the best writers on the subject is Amy Chua, who combines formidable learning with a deft, easy-to-understand touch. She first warned us of the dangers in World on Fire (2003.) suggesting that the rise of vast unregulated flows of capital and people would lead to the evolution of intense ethnic jealousies and rivalries. Her follow up was the masterful Political Tribes (2018), which deepened and contextualised her research in the age of Brexit and Trump. Although we think more work needs to be done around tropes like masculinity and hierarchy, her essential truth is unmistakeable. The central trend, perhaps even instinct, among humankind is towards regular intergroup hostility, usually culminating in violence.
All of which is rather depressing in a species on a tiny planet, a species armed with nuclear, chemical and biological weapons of the most awful power. And all of us who believe in progress have failed to address this essential truth. Some of us have preferred to think up imaginary communities , like religions or social and economic systems wherein such behaviours cannot occur. Others to twist and distort the evidence to suggest that the natural instincts are to reason and justice, and to all get along in a matey sort of way.
Yet we do not despair. Although the mass of humankind has preferred to live in savagery and darkness, small groups of us have effected progress of a sort these last few thousand years. The facts that you will eat clean food today, and wash your hands with soap, is proof enough of that. In the mix we discovered Law, which is based on Justice, as opposed to tribal customs and codes. We admit, following the great Chua[4] that universal values like justice and science are deeply imperilled at the moment. Tribes have the luxury of being able to pick and choose their truths, whereas we are bound by evidence and reason. Yet it is from us, not them, that everything that raises us above animals has come. We must now find ways to re assert the ascendancy of our values. Or die, trapped in dark caves of violence and unreason.
[1]https://www.thoughtco.com/robbers-cave-experiment-4774987
[2]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Realistic_conflict_theory
[3] Amy Chua Political Tribes Penguin 2003
[4https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amy_Chua
#tribalsim #aggression #psychology #evolution #amy chua
Learning, Science and Society 