Tribal

How the Cultural Instincts That Divide Us Can Help Bring Us Together

By: Michael Morris

Narrated by: Michael Morris

SHORTLISTED FOR THE FINANCIAL TIMES AND SCHRODERS BUSINESS BOOK OF THE YEAR

A revelatory, paradigm-shifting work from a renowned Columbia professor and “one of the great social and cultural psychologists” (Amy Cuddy) that demystifies our tribal instincts and shows us how to use them to create positive change.

Tribalism is our most misunderstood buzzword. We’ve all heard pundits bemoan its rise, and it’s been blamed for everything from political polarization to workplace discrimination. But as acclaimed cultural psychologist and Columbia professor Michael Morris argues, our tribal instincts are humanity’s secret weapon.

Ours is the only species that lives in tribes: groups glued together by their distinctive cultures that can grow to a scale far beyond clans and bands. Morris argues that our psychology is wired by evolution in three distinctive ways. First, the peer instinct to conform to what most people do. Second, the hero instinct to give to the group and emulate the most respected. And third, the ancestor instinct to follow the ways of prior generations. These tribal instincts enable us to share knowledge and goals and work as a team to transmit the accumulated pool of cultural knowledge onward to the next generation.

Countries, churches, political parties, and companies are tribes, and tribal instincts explain our loyalties to them and the hidden ways that they affect our thoughts, actions, and identities. Rather than deriding tribal impulses for their irrationality, we can recognize them as powerful levers that elevate performance, heal rifts, and set off shockwaves of cultural change.

Weaving together deep research, current and historical events, and stories from business and politics, Morris cuts across conventional wisdom to completely reframe how we think about our tribes. Bracing and hopeful, Tribal unlocks the deepest secrets of our psychology and gives us the tools to manage our misunderstood superpower.

©2021 Michael Morris (P)2021 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"An anthropologist examines ways in which ingrained notions of belonging and difference can be put to work for the good…useful lessons on cultural accommodation and coexistence."—Kirkus

“A riveting read that will challenge you to rethink your core beliefs.”—Adam Grant, bestselling author of Hidden Potential, host of Re:Thinking, and Wharton Professor

“Tribal challenges the conventional wisdom around culture and offers a vision for collective change that can bring about a better future for all of us.”—Arianna Huffington, author of Thrive and founder of HuffingtonPost

We're All Sheep in Wolves' Clothing

"Tribal" by Michael Morris offers a compelling exploration of our inherent need for belonging, cleverly revealing how our desire to see ourselves as free thinkers often masks our tribal instincts. As a former student turned researcher, I appreciated how Morris lays bare the irony: we pride ourselves on individuality while subconsciously conforming to group dynamics. The narrative challenges the notion of autonomy, suggesting that even our most personal beliefs are shaped by the tribes we inhabit. It’s a thoughtful and rigorously researched reminder that, despite our aspirations for independence, we are inextricably linked to the very communities we often seek to transcend. A thought-provoking read!

Great Read.

Tribal is a captivating exploration of the hidden forces that drive human kind and a great read
Morris dissects the psychological roots of belonging and community , our deep seated need for tribes not just as a survival mechanism but as a part of our identity.
Paired with Harari’s book "Sapiens" , it provides a holistic understanding of humanity’s past present and future.
This profound understanding of how and why we got here may help us navigate the chaos of today and perhaps steer us towards a better future.

Great story telling and narration with interesting anecdotes.

I really enjoyed this book and listened to it in the span of a few days. Mix of history, social science and great story telling.

Are tribes good for humanity?

The author does a credible job detailing what a tribe is and their history. He features the positives of tribes. However, he fails to convince this reader of their enduring value and how they might redeem humanity. Sustaining the intrinsic qualities of tribes further divides humanity. He is unconvincing that tribe behavior is beneficial for our future.