Group Think - Hidden Brain Recap

Podcast: Hidden Brain

Published: 2026-03-23

Duration: 5276

Guests: Jay Van Bavel, Colton Scrivner

What Happened

Nelson Mandela's iconic gesture of wearing the Springboks jersey during the 1995 Rugby World Cup is a powerful example of how leaders can use group identity to foster unity. Despite the Springboks being a symbol of apartheid, Mandela's move helped bridge racial divides as South Africa triumphed over New Zealand with a score of 15 to 12, showcasing the unifying power of sports.

Jay Van Bavel, a psychologist at New York University, investigates how group identities affect our behaviors and perceptions. He recounts a personal story of connecting with a fellow Canadian in Venice, illustrating how national symbols like a flag can foster instant solidarity. Research in Ottawa found that priming people with their Canadian identity increased their preference for maple syrup over honey, showing how identity can influence even taste preferences.

The effects of group identity extend to perception and behavior, as demonstrated by studies like Henri Tajfel's, which reveal that people favor their in-group even when membership is arbitrary. This innate tendency has significant implications, evident in scenarios like NYU students showing more brain activity when an in-group member wins money, and studies indicating that shared group identities can reduce xenophobia and prejudice, as seen with Liverpool fans after Mo Salah's arrival.

Colton Scrivner, a researcher at Arizona State University and Aarhus University, delves into the psychological allure of morbid curiosity. He notes that while people are drawn to scary entertainment for various reasons, it can also enhance resilience, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. Scrivner categorizes horror fans into adrenaline junkies, white knucklers, and dark copers, each engaging with fear differently to manage stress and emotions.

The physiological response to fear-inducing media involves both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, providing opportunities for stress regulation. This response is not limited to fictional horror, as demonstrated in studies where individuals showed similar physiological arousal when informed about a potential ghost presence, regardless of their beliefs in the paranormal.

Group identities can both divide and unite, as demonstrated by the Dassler brothers' feud leading to the creation of Adidas and Puma. Political polarization in the US, driven by out-group hate, reflects the darker side of group loyalty. Yet, shared identities have the potential to promote cooperation and social harmony, as Jay Van Bavel emphasizes in his work with Dominic Packer on 'The Power of Us'.

Key Insights

• Nelson Mandela's decision to wear the Springboks jersey during the 1995 Rugby World Cup showcased the potential of group identity to unify a nation previously divided by apartheid. By associating the Springboks with national unity, Mandela helped bridge racial divides.
• Jay Van Bavel's research highlights that group identities can influence basic senses, such as taste, as seen in a study where Canadian identity priming led individuals to prefer maple syrup over honey. This reflects how deeply ingrained group loyalties impact personal preferences.
• Colton Scrivner identifies three types of horror fans: adrenaline junkies, white knucklers, and dark copers. Each group uses scary media to manage fear and stress differently, demonstrating the diverse psychological mechanisms behind morbid curiosity.
• Research on group identities shows that they can reduce xenophobia and prejudice. Salma Musa's study found that Liverpool fans exhibited less anti-Muslim sentiment after Mo Salah joined the team, demonstrating the positive impact of shared identities on social attitudes.