Why do humans tend to group and categorize so much?

Question

I know it is human nature to group...well, I guess it is - that's what seems to be the case..

But...

Just think throughout history how many different types of conflicts there have been, only possible by the existence of two or more groups - groups that may not even be that different, yet and still...they manage to be put in separate categories..

From race, to religion, to political affiliations, to class & caste systems...

Last summer, I was researching conservatism and liberalism...and found out that there are at least five different types of conservatives and liberals each...

I was like, wow....

Then, just thinking about how many different types and denominations of Christians there are - and what all are considered the differences between them (certain variations of practices, beliefs, customs, etc.)...

What do you think - Why do we feel the need to group and categorize so much - even to the point of "over-division" and even in some cases, redundancy?

Let me also add, before anyone mentions this, lol...that I do understand that there has to be a certain level of grouping because supposedly, it helps people to process information a little better...and makes things not seem so overwhelming...

But...

After you group soooooooo much and in so much detail (i.e. five different types of liberals and five different types of conservatives)...where does the madness stop?

And doesn't that further confuse people and defeat the purpose of trying to simplify information for the brain and an individual's ability to understand new concepts and ideas?

Answer 1

Because it is the way we think. There is too much information to take in in the world. Our minds have to automatically make certain groupings or we would spend many hours pondering a situation that should only take seconds to resolve. That is what is amazing about the human mind---it can make assumptions instantaneously based on data we never even realize we have taken in.

That said, yes it can go too far and have negative reprecussions. But it is the main way we think, so it is natural that our categorizing skills would be overly developed and frequently relied upon.

Categorizing gives us a feeling of power. Putting something in a category can often help us predict its actions. That gives us an advantage. Of course, over doing it and making gross generalizations will backfire, but so many times a day, our categorizations work for us.

Most people want to see some order in our worlds, even if it means pidgeon -holing everyone and everything. That is human nature, even if it isn't noble.

Answer 2

Its a human nature to categorizes or bifurcate the failings which relies upon on the want of the day. guy born in needs and his needs are countless in numbers so he does what he's conscious is more effective perfect and priority to him, he classifies the last. He attenuates, attributes and divide what seems him eye-catching and larger in a shorter time, branch in small scale and enormous scale also comes ahead. This all he does because he's proficient with power and knowledge, he's liberal and wakeful, makes use of to make certain the experts and cons of each concern what surrounds to him. And that is sweet being a man or woman because such features are not any further imbued in animal. He notices the concern in strengthen and takes the treatment. Intrinsically he needs vibrant issues it truly is more effective sharp and approachable in problem-free way, he will evaluate first after which will see the subsequent it truly is decrease in grades.

Answer 3

It's true, things can get really complex and sometimes confusing.

I think it starts out innocently enough. It has a lot to do with communication. In order to tell someone something, you have to describe it. Now a days, descriptions can become very complex. But we have to be able to describe something accurately.

I think that's why we tend to group and categorize so much. It's just because we have to in order to describe it to others, in order to learn more about it.

Now, at some point, it becomes someone's job to group and to categorize. You have politicians, clergy, scientists, historians, geographers, doctors, bankers, journalists, executives, industrialists, lawyers, judges, teachers, curators, philanthropists, writers, entertainers, etc... It is very important for each of these specialists to know a lot about their given occupation. They have to group and categorize in order to do their job accurately, safely and quickly.

So I feel we do need to group and to categorize, but, like you suggest, it would be good if we could find a way to avoid the complexity of all of this and make things simpler, in order to make things less confusing and more efficient. Reformation and the job of the reformist is yet another aspect of the complex world we live in.

Answer 4

As they say birds of the same feathers flock together. People wants to be with someone who have the same idealogies, values, principles or anything that is similar to them because people wants a sense of belongingness, its man's nature to find where he fits or where he belongs so that he will not feel alone and so that he will feel safe and secure knowing that he belongs in a group and that this group will protect him and also give him a sense of identity.

Answer 5

humans group things to make a larger picture easier to understand. sometimes they just group things/people together for the wrong reasons (racism, etc)

in anyvent, we NEED to group things together, it's simply impossible to understand an extremely large and complex system all at once. be it math, biology, physics od scociology, things NEED to be catagorized in some manor, so they can be figured out a little bit at a time.

there's nothing bad about gouping. it's the people doing it that create problems.

Answer 6

We seek and identify with "sameness".

In young people it is a desire to ":belong" so they join a group to feel accepted-maybe that is the same with us adults???how sad
We miss out a lot by not seeking and participating in diversity.

Answer 7

To organize information?

Answer 8

I don't know why we do it is kind of sad. That is why I try to get to know the person before I find out what their beliefs are, so I don't have those kind of judgments.

Answer 9

a need to belong as well as being different. sameness and difference.

Answer 10

the only time i cat. sometime is when i throw **** in containers and zip lock bags. Chicken, Beef, books, magazines, weed.....