Intense intergroup conflict makes individual group-switching socially unthinkable and sanctioned

Evidence

One of the main features of this belief system is the perception by the individuals concerned that it is impossible or extremely difficult to move individually from their own group to another group. This is precisely the situation in an intense conflict of interests, in which it is extremely difficult for an individual to conceive of the possibility of “betraying” his or her own group by moving to the opposing group. Although this does happen on occasion, sanctions for such a move are, on the whole, powerful, and the value systems (at least in our cultures) are in flagrant opposition to it. To use an example from social-psychological research, it seems hardly possible that one of the boys in Sherif’s holiday camps would decide to change sides, even though some of his previously contracted friendships overlapped group boundaries. — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 2686

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to intergroup contact and category-crossing theories; also echoes the ‘leaving the group’ theme in The Reluctant Fundamentalist and Home Boy.