Tribe audiobook cover - On Homecoming and Belonging

Tribe

On Homecoming and Belonging

Sebastian Junger

★ 4.6 / 5(80 ratings)
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Categories:
HistoryPsychologyPolitics

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Tribe
The Allure of Tribal Life+
The Evolutionary Mismatch+
The Paradox of Crisis+
The Trauma of Returning Home+
Healing and Reintegration+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 8
Why did many early European colonists prefer living with Native American tribes rather than in their own settlements?
  • A. Native American tribes offered superior technological advancements and agricultural practices.
  • B. The colonists were forced to assimilate to survive the harsh winters.
  • C. Native American societies were much more egalitarian and offered greater personal freedom.
  • D. The colonists wanted to exploit the natural resources found within tribal territories.
Question 2 of 8
According to the book, what is the primary cause of 'pathological loneliness' and high mental illness rates in modern Western societies?
  • A. Humans are genetically hardwired for close-knit, hunter-gatherer communities, creating a mismatch with modern individualistic lifestyles.
  • B. The rise of advanced technology has completely eliminated the need for physical human labor.
  • C. Western societies lack the material wealth necessary to support widespread mental health treatment.
  • D. Modern humans work significantly fewer hours than their ancestors, leading to a lack of daily purpose.
Question 3 of 8
What counterintuitive psychological phenomenon was observed in London during the WWII Blitz?
  • A. Mass hysteria caused a complete breakdown of the social order and widespread looting.
  • B. Psychiatric wards became significantly less crowded, and the civilian population remained calm and resilient.
  • C. The government was forced to open millions of new psychiatric beds to handle widespread war trauma.
  • D. Rates of severe depression skyrocketed among men who were not actively fighting on the front lines.
Question 4 of 8
Based on sociologist Charles Fritz's research, what typically happens to a society immediately following a natural disaster?
  • A. People prioritize their own families' survival over their neighbors, leading to increased isolation.
  • B. Disasters cause widespread anarchy and violent competition for limited resources.
  • C. The societal structure permanently shifts to establish long-term wealth redistribution.
  • D. People become cohesive and supportive, temporarily erasing divisions based on wealth and race.
Question 5 of 8
How does the author explain post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms like hypervigilance and anger?
  • A. They are psychological weaknesses that only affect soldiers who lacked proper military training.
  • B. They are evolutionary traits that are highly useful for survival in combat but maladaptive in modern civilian life.
  • C. They are signs of permanent brain damage caused by exposure to loud explosions and concussions.
  • D. They are primarily caused by a lack of proper nutrition and sleep during military deployments.
Question 6 of 8
What is a major reason why modern soldiers struggle so heavily with PTSD when returning home, aside from the trauma of combat?
  • A. They transition from a tight-knit, communal 'tribe' into a highly individualistic, fragmented society.
  • B. They are no longer receiving the strict discipline and direct orders they relied on in the military.
  • C. Civilian society places too much pressure on them to immediately return to full-time employment.
  • D. The modern military does not provide sufficient financial compensation for returning veterans.
Question 7 of 8
What key aspect of traditional Native American war healing rituals does the author suggest modern Western societies should emulate?
  • A. Encouraging veterans to isolate themselves in nature for a period of time before returning to their families.
  • B. Replacing modern psychiatric therapy entirely with traditional spiritual ceremonies.
  • C. Requiring all citizens to undergo basic military training to better understand the soldiers' experience.
  • D. Treating the return from war as a community-wide event where veterans are given a forum to share their experiences.
Question 8 of 8
What is the overarching, counterintuitive thesis of Sebastian Junger's book 'Tribe'?
  • A. Rugged individualism is the ultimate key to human happiness and societal progress.
  • B. Tribalism is inherently dangerous and always leads to political polarization and violent conflict.
  • C. War and extreme hardships often improve psychological well-being by reviving essential human social bonds.
  • D. Advanced technology and material wealth will eventually eliminate the human need for community.

Tribe — Full Chapter Overview

Tribe Summary & Overview

Tribe (2016) scans the historical horizon and plumbs psychological depths to ask what it takes for us to feel at home in the world. Drawing on a wealth of evidence from multiple disciplines, author Sebastian Junger has an unsettling answer: it’s often in the midst of chaos and war that we develop our deepest sense of belonging. From the Blitz to American soldiers serving in Afghanistan, extreme danger welds groups together and highlights the sense of community so sorely missing in everyday life.

Who Should Listen to Tribe?

  • Soldiers, veterans and their families
  • Anyone fascinated by the life of the mind
  • History buffs

About the Author: Sebastian Junger

Sebastian Junger is a bestselling author who has written about everything from war to shipping and global politics. His previous books include War, The Perfect Storm and Fire. Junger lives in New York and is a contributing editor to Vanity Fair.

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