The Problem With Tribalism: Michael Morris

April 21, 2026 · 1h 11m

About this episode

Michael Morris joins James Smith to discuss the positive aspects of tribalism and its role in human cooperation.

Michael Morris joins James Smith to dismantle the popular myth that tribalism is humanity's curse. A renowned cultural psychologist and Columbia Business School professor, Morris argues that our tribal instincts aren't hardwired hatred for outsiders, they're the very adaptations that allowed humans to outcompete Neanderthals, build civilisations, and cooperate at scales no other species can match. 👁️ Try Neutonic: https://www.neutonic.com/jamessmith 🧪 Check your Test: https://www.manual.co/smith 📝 Business Mentoring: https://www.jamessmith.business 🏋🏼‍♂️ Online Coaching: https://www.jamessmithacademy.com He explains: ◼️ Why tribal instincts are the glue of human cooperation, not division ◼️ How the peer, hero, and ancestor instincts shape every group you join ◼️ Why dating apps and social media distort our perception of attractiveness ◼️ How cults and extremist groups exploit our conformist psychology ◼️ Why ordinary Germans went along with the Nazis — and why you probably would too Chapters: 00:00 The Myth of Hardwired Tribal Hatred 01:51 What's Actually Wrong With Tribalism 03:30 Defining Tribal Instincts Properly 05:08 The Three Waves: Peer, Hero, Ancestor 07:07 Why…

People in this episode

Host: James Smith

Guest: Michael Morris

Topics covered

tribalism
human cooperation
cultural psychology
social media
extremism
historical context

Keywords

tribal instincts
cultural psychology
Neanderthals
social media
extremism
human evolution
cooperation
dating apps

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Columbia Business School

Products: Neutonic, Manual, James Smith Business Mentoring, James Smith Academy