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

American Psychological Association's Ursula Gielen Global Psychology Book Award Winner • PROSE Award Finalist • Zócalo Book Prize Finalist

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.

Critic reviews

PRAISE FOR TRIBAL

“A deep, timely and optimistic look at how to harness our innate tribal instincts to positive effect, rather than allowing them to divide. A fount of valuable lessons on human behavior for political leaders and chief executives.”
— Andrew Hill, Financial Time’s Best Business Books of 2024

"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

“Provocative, useful idea. Absolutely spot-on, timely message.”
— Chip Heath, author of The Power of Moments and Professor of Organizational Behavior, Stanford

“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

“There is no future, good or bad, without tribalism. This eye-opening book will change the way you think about why we behave the way we do.”
— Scott Galloway, author of The Algebra of Wealth, Professor of Marketing, NYU

"Brilliantly, Michael Morris flips the script on the impact of tribalism in modern life.”
— Robert Cialdini, author of Influence and Pre-suasion, Professor of Psychology, Arizona State

“This original book lays bare the facts about our tribal natures and shows how the deeply human tendencies that have brought us to the precipice of disaster might still be used to save us. Penetrating, illuminating, and not to be missed!”
— Daniel Gilbert, author of Stumbling on Happiness, Professor of Psychology, Harvard

“You’ll tear through it and realize that you’ve learned something that changes your understanding of human nature, nurture, and their fascinating interplay.”
— Amy Cuddy, author of Presence, Professor, Harvard Business School

"An extremely useful guide to how cultures – from informal clubs to nation states – operate and how they can be changed."
— Richard Nisbett, author of The Geography of Thought, founder of the Culture and Cognition Program, University of Michigan

"A consummate storyteller and astute observer, Michael Morris has written a masterpiece.”
— Sonja Lyubomirsky, author of The How of Happiness, Professor of Psychology, UC-Riverside

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.

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 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.

Some great, niche case studies of group think at various scales

A much cheaper version of the LEAD course at Columbia Business School. Some of the examples Morris employs don’t quite stand so solidly today, but a nonetheless good exploration of this subject material. I appreciate the succinct and whimsical nature of his writing.

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.