The Evolution of Intergroup Relations

Abstract

Abstract Humans are social animals. Group living provides us with security, food, and culturally transmitted knowledge, which has enabled the greatest achievements of human civilization. At the same time, categorizing individuals as ‘us’ vs ‘them’ also brings intergroup prejudice, discrimination, and even violent conflict, which has led to some of the deadliest events in human history. In this chapter, the authors discuss the complexity of intergroup relations from an evolutionary perspective. The authors first discuss the adaptive functions of group living and outline the mechanisms that maintain groups. Next, the authors discuss the evolutionary basis that contributes to the emergence of intergroup boundaries, hatred, and conflict. Although the tendency for intergroup conflict is pervasive, groups can sometimes overcome their boundaries and cooperate. In the last section, the authors explore factors that may attenuate intergroup conflict and provide suggestions for improving intergroup relations in this increasingly global world.