Neotribalism facts for kids
Neotribalism, also called modern tribalism or new tribalism, is a big idea in sociology. It suggests that people are naturally wired to live in tribal groups, not just in huge, faceless societies. Because of this, we tend to form new kinds of "tribes" or social networks in our modern world.
Contents
What is Neotribalism?
This idea says that even today, people like to belong to smaller groups. These groups share common interests, feelings, or ways of life. Think of them like modern-day tribes. They are different from traditional tribes because they are not always based on family or where you live.
How Groups Form
These new tribes can form around many things. For example, they might be based on:
- Shared hobbies, like gaming or sports
- Music tastes, like fans of a certain band
- Fashion styles
- Even consumer brands, where people who love a certain product feel like a group.
These groups give people a sense of belonging and identity.
Ideas from Thinkers
The French sociologist Michel Maffesoli was one of the first to talk about neotribalism. He wrote about it in his 1988 book, The Time of the Tribes.
Maffesoli's Predictions
Maffesoli believed that as older ways of life and big institutions changed, people would look back to the past. He thought that in the future, people would naturally form new tribes. These tribes would be based on shared feelings and experiences, much like ancient tribes.
Modern Research
Other researchers have also looked into these ideas. For example, American political scientist Robert D. Putnam has studied how people connect in communities. His work, and other studies, seem to support the idea that people do tend to form these new kinds of social groups.
The idea of neotribalism is even used in studies about shopping. It helps explain why people who love certain brands or products often form strong communities, sometimes called "consumer tribes."
See also
- Evolutionary psychology
- Social network
- Tribalism
