VII. A Web of Interconnections ↑
47. Groups are often nested
Groups are often nested within one another, and this nesting can happen over multiple levels in order to form very large and complex groups, up to and including what we might call society itself.
When groups are nested in this manner, the lower-level groups that are members of larger groups often exhibit some of the same characteristics as individuals within smaller groups.
For example subgroups are assigned roles within the larger group, and such subgroups may also exhibit specialization.
When multiple levels of groups are arranged in this fashion, the overall structure is often referred to as a hierarchy.
The detailed structure of such arrangements can be quite complex, and often controversial.
Words from Others on this Topic
Living in small groups has been baked into our psyches by thousands of generations of genetic evolution, and small groups need to remain “cells” in the cultural evolution of larger-scale societies.
David Sloan Wilson, 2019, from the book This View of Life: Completing the Darwinian Revolution
Relevant Reference Models
- An element of Core Design Principles for the Efficacy of Groups