in-groups
Exclusive social clusters
In-groups are social circles to which a person feels they belong—defined by shared identity, values, or experience.
The term appears most in sociology and psychology, where it contrasts with out-groups (everyone else).
In-group dynamics explain favoritism toward one's own: People trust in-group members more readily.
The concept applies to families, teams, cliques, nations, or any collective that creates an "us."
Exclusive social group
- tribeSocial group sharing ancestry
- inner circleExclusive group of confidants
- exclusiveLimited to one group
- belongingState of fitting in
members · insiders · club · coterie · cabal · faction · elite · circle
Unfair inclination or prejudice
- favoritismPreferential treatment of some
- conformityAdherence to norms
- loyaltyFaithful commitment to another
- tribalismIn-group loyalty, out-group hostility
groupthink · us versus them · prejudice · discrimination · othering · social identity · belonging · acceptance
Organized cooperative unit
- departmentDistinct unit within organization
- managementOrganizing and directing resources
- old guardConservative faction within organization
- cliqueExclusive social group
inner circle · executives · founders · veterans · tenure · seniority · networking · mentorship
Collective of connected people
- ethnicityShared cultural heritage group
- nationalityLegal belonging to country
- religionSystem of spiritual belief
- cultureCollective social practices
heritage · diaspora · kinship · ancestry · affiliation · solidarity · shared values · collective
clique
Exclusive social group
- tribeSocial group sharing ancestry
- inner circleExclusive group of confidants
- exclusiveLimited to one group
belonging · members · insiders · club · coterie · cabal · faction · elite · circle · crew
bias
Unfair inclination or prejudice
- favoritismPreferential treatment of some
- conformityAdherence to norms
- loyaltyFaithful commitment to another
tribalism · groupthink · us versus them · prejudice · discrimination · othering · social identity · belonging · acceptance · inclusion
team
Organized cooperative unit
- departmentDistinct unit within organization
- managementOrganizing and directing resources
- old guardConservative faction within organization
clique · inner circle · executives · founders · veterans · tenure · seniority · networking · mentorship · sponsorship
community
Collective of connected people
- ethnicityShared cultural heritage group
- nationalityLegal belonging to country
- religionSystem of spiritual belief
culture · heritage · diaspora · kinship · ancestry · affiliation · solidarity · shared values · collective · tradition
- group dynamicscooperation, norms, conflict, alliance, hierarchy
- bondsbond, corporate bond, corporate bonds, government bond, municipal bond
- office politicsoffice politics, backstabbing, power plays, favoritism, nepotism
in-groupsout-groups
Those outside one's group
outsiders · outgroups · non-members · pariahs · outcasts