LAWLzoR

Grouping, good or bad, we can all agree, has played a large role in our lives and indeed the world. It has lead to the destruction and formation of nations. The unrest of mankind, and indeed the hatred from it. It's almost everywhere these days! Even the people who say individualism should be or is supreme are part of a bigger picture.

Well it's important to learn a little bit of prehistory in order to answer this question. Long ago, before writing was even invented and language was taking its first steps, people were living in herd-like groups. Nomadic (meaning they moved around in accordance to food) and worked together. They had to work together! There was no way any one of them could survive without help from the rest.

Modern grouping derived from this. Our brains picked up the habit of being with people we have most in common with, because it would mean they would be the least likely to hurt us in any way, because we can grow a bond or friendship. This is why you guys (more than likely) are in groups of friends. Even if you think you have none, you found your way here, didn't you? We are another example of finding people with common interests in order to satisfy our social needs.

Unfortunately, this is also why stereotypes, racism, and almost all the other types of -isms there are (excluding sexism which I will share my hypothesis on it later). Because we made our own group, and because we like sticking to things that are familiar (because we know those things/people are "safe" and "harmless") we tend to push things that aren't similar or familiar away. Some more than others. Back in the pre-historic times, if you saw someone that didn't look similar or familiar, your brain thought "This person could harm me! Why wouldn't they? They could take my food and kill my friends and be better off!" and thus would show extra caution when approaching people/things that didn't look familiar.

Grouping has lead to the thriving, surviving, and dying of many people, nations, and even empires. It still takes its hold on society today, and quite possible won't be gotten rid of any time soon. Even with all of the negatives that come from grouping, there are too many good things that come from grouping (such as increased safety, food, pleasure, etc.) that our minds and our habits will not let us get rid of grouping.