Distinct group types evolved to fulfill distinct psychological needs

Evidence

Johnson et al. (2006) argued that these differentiations are important because different kinds of groups serve different functions in people’s lives. Some groups help fulfill the basic need for affiliation, some fulfill achievement-oriented needs, and others satisfy identity-related needs, such as self-esteem maintenance. Specifically, they proposed that intimacy groups (e.g., family, friends) are closely associated with affiliation needs, task groups (e.g., members of a jury, coworkers) are closely associated with achievement needs, and social categories (e.g., women, blacks) are closely associated with identity-related needs. These associations between group types and need fulfillment may be particularly pronounced when groups are highly entitative. — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 253 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Cultural variation between groups requires an adaptive explanation consistent with evolved psychology. — Joe Henrich and Robert Boyd, The Evolution of Conformist…, 8; Evolutionary psychology explains present psychological processes as adaptations to ancestral environmental problems. — Leonard S. Newman and Ralph Erber (eds.), Understanding Genocide: The Social…, 489; Different group sizes evolved to handle distinct mental functions. (+4 more)

Broader Connections

• Different group types serve distinct psychological needs in perceivers #corroborates (0.95) — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 253