According to the passage, what evolutionary trait contributes to social conformity?

Passage

Read the following passage and answer the questions based on the passage: Group thinking, often referred to as groupthink, is a psychological phenomenon wherein the desire for unanimity within a group overrides the motivation to appraise alternative viewpoints critically. It frequently leads to flawed decision-making because dissent is either internally suppressed or socially penalized. Social conformity, its close ally, describes the act of aligning one's beliefs or behaviours with those of a majority, often subconsciously, in pursuit of acceptance or avoidance of conflict. In tightly knit groups—such as corporate boards, political committees, or academic panels—individual members may refrain from expressing contrarian ideas, fearing ostracization or reputational risk. Over time, this collective homogeneity breeds intellectual stagnation, reducing innovation and enhancing vulnerability to strategic errors. The infamous Bay of Pigs invasion and the Challenger space shuttle disaster are frequently cited as textbook examples of decisions marred by groupthink. Psychologically, the roots of group conformity lie in our evolutionary inclination toward tribal belonging, where deviation was historically associated with survival risk. In modern society, the same instinct manifests through peer pressure, organizational culture, and digital echo chambers. Algorithms reinforce conformity by curating information bubbles that validate existing biases while filtering out divergent thought. However, the remedy to such cognitive myopia lies in institutionalizing dissent. Constructive disagreement, when encouraged within teams or communities, acts as an intellectual safeguard against tunnel vision. Promoting a culture where counterarguments are respected rather than reprimanded can lead to more robust, balanced, and resilient decision-making. In an age dominated by viral trends, polarized discourse, and performative alignment, the courage to question consensus is both rare and essential. True progress emerges not from blind allegiance to majority norms, but from critical inquiry and the audacity to challenge the comfortable.

Question

According to the passage, what evolutionary trait contributes to social conformity?

1. A. Hunger for dominance
2. B. Need for speed
3. C. Instinct for tribal survival (Correct answer)
4. D. Desire for luxury

Correct Answer

Option C — Instinct for tribal survival

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Instinct for tribal survival.

Key Points

• The passage traces conformity to an evolutionary inclination toward tribal belonging, noting that deviation was historically tied to survival risk.
• Being cast out of the group once carried a real physical danger, so the instinct to align with the majority was adaptive — and it persists today as peer pressure and organisational culture.
• The other options never appear as evolutionary explanations: dominance, speed and luxury are not offered as causes anywhere in the text.
• Detail questions are answered from the passage alone. Locate the sentence containing the keyword — here *evolutionary* — and read only around it, rather than relying on outside knowledge of psychology.

Additional Information

• Detail questions are answered by locating the keyword in the passage and reading only the sentence around it — outside knowledge is not required and can mislead.
• The correct option is normally a paraphrase, not a quotation, so match the idea rather than the exact words.
• Watch for options that are true in general but absent from the passage; in comprehension, only what the text states counts as evidence.