Why do we betray our principles for “ours”. Studies show that loyalty to the group weighs more than morality
Loyalty to the group – whether we're talking about family, friends, community or nation – gives people a strong sense of belonging. The problem arises when this loyalty conflicts with one's own principles.
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If someone inside the group does something wrong, the choice becomes difficult: do you tell the truth or protect your people? Many say they would choose fairness without hesitation. In reality, things are often different.
Several studies cited in an article published by Gilmore Health show that people tend to overestimate their own morality. In theory they argue that principles are more important than loyalty, but in practice they often choose to defend their group.
What happens when someone in the group makes a mistake
A study by researchers Adam Waytz, James Dungan, and Liane Young analyzed this dilemma in five experiments involving more than a thousand adults in the United States.
The participants were put in front of realistic situations: a colleague or a member of the group was committing a misconduct – for example fraud or violation of safety rules. They had to decide whether to report the problem or choose to protect the person.
In polls, most said they would put fairness first. When the scenarios became concrete, however, the answers changed. If the wrongdoer was a friend or close group member, about 65% of participants preferred to protect them. Only 35% would have done the same to a person with whom they did not have a close relationship.
Differences also emerged between cultures. In collectivist societies, loyalty to the group was considered more important than in individualistic societies. Even when the act had serious consequences, almost half of the participants still chose to remain loyal to the group.
The tendency appears since childhood
The same behavior can be observed in children. In a German study of 5- to 9-year-old children, participants watched scenarios in which a doll from their own group or from a different group did something wrong—for example, spoil a toy or steal candy.
The children had to decide whether or not to tell an adult what happened. The result: most preferred to protect their “mates” from the group. In the more serious situations, almost 70% chose not to say anything.
Researchers believe that this tendency appears very early and continues into adulthood. In other words, loyalty to the group is a reflex that is formed from childhood.
Teenagers: Friendship weighs more
A survey of American teenagers between the ages of 12 and 18 showed the same thing. Participants were asked what they would do if a friend cheated on a test or lied to a teacher.
In most cases, loyalty to a friend outweighed following the rules. About 62% of teenagers chose to protect their friend, and the percentage increased to 75% when it came to their best friend.
When ideology becomes more important than principles
The same mechanism occurs in politics. Analyzes of dozens of studies of radical ideologies show that people at the extremes of the political spectrum tend to justify questionable actions more easily when they believe they help the cause they support.
Both radical progressives and radical conservatives may end up accepting restrictions or harsh measures against groups they disagree with, justifying them as necessary for the “good” of society.
Why is this happening?
Psychologists explain the phenomenon by what it is called “self-serving bias” – people's tendency to see themselves in a favorable light. Even when they choose loyalty over principle, people tend to justify their decision by saying it was “necessary” or “not that bad”.
This mechanism protects self-image, but also creates a contradiction between stated values and actual behavior.
In short, most people believe they would always make the moral choice. But studies show that when it gets personal, group loyalty wins out more often than we like to admit.
