The Characteristic Traits of Human Tribes

Our species programming makes us tribal territorial animals, and the tribal traits characteristic of human tribes are discernable in everything we do. Our most basic tribal traits are shared with other tribal animals, particularly primates, but due to our uniqueness in having language, conscious thought, and beliefs, we also have unique homo sapiens tribal traits dependent upon these enhanced abilities.

The basic tribal traits possessed in common with other tribal animals are:

· an instinct to form tribes;

· an instinct to form hierarchical, usually male-dominant social structures within our tribes;

· an instinct to be supportive, protective, and even self-sacrificing for those within our tribe;

· an instinct to treat other tribes of our species as rivals and to fight with them for dominance;

· an instinct to throw dung at our rivals. (see 1960's: Hippies vs. Pigs)

While these basic tribal animal traits – forming tribes; having hierarchical social structures, being caring and supportive of tribemembers, and perceiving other tribes as enemies,– are shared with other tribal territorial animals, our uniqueness in having language, conscious thought, and beliefs, allows us to have unique homo sapiens tribal traits dependent upon these enhanced abilities:

· Human tribes are based upon common beliefs;

· We treat tribal beliefs as “territory” to be fiercely defended;

· We are unconsciously biased by our beliefs;

· We are inherently blind to our bias toward our beliefs;

· We migrate beliefs to extreme positions whenever they are opposed;

· We make scapegoat enemies of tribes opposing our beliefs;

· We caricature opposing tribes as all being like their extremists;

· We throw “verbal dung” (slander) at our opponents;

· We compulsively make up explanations for things unknown;

· We use stories to pass on tribal beliefs and culture;

· We create law codes to govern behavior.

These characteristic traits are clearly visible in our national, political, and religious tribes, and explain most of our chronically consistent irrational behavior.