Human beings can survive and thrive only in groups. Thus, we all develop strong group affiliations, and derive much of our sense of security and identity from them. Belongingness and social connectedness are strong predictors of wellbeing and health.

Group affiliation, however, also has a dark side. For example, one way by which we tend to distinguish our group is by devaluing other groups. We are prone to believe that our group is special, and better, than others because thinking that our group is special makes us feel special. At moderate levels, this in-group bias may work to enhance our self-esteem and facilitate group cohesion. We can celebrate our group and benefit from membership without denying our group's problems and weaknesses. We can remain aware of our in-group bias and manage it so as not to unjustly hurt outsiders.

Yet at the extremes, group loyalty may become harmful. We are capable of overdosing on our group identity, a process by which our loyalty becomes blind, our devotion rigid, and our relations with outsiders hostile. This is true in the local sense, regarding our proximal groups, such as, say, the local college football team. It is also true in the broader sense.

For example, an important group affiliation for most people is their national identity. And here, too, different levels of group identification predict different outcomes. Specifically, constructive patriotism and national attachment reflect genuine commitment to one’s compatriots and are associated with positive personal and national outcomes. However, rabid nationalism, blind patriotism, and national glorification are extreme forms of national identification, and are associated with negative

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