What is in-group signaling?

In-group signaling involves behaviors and symbols that people use to indicate their affiliation with specific groups and differentiate themselves from others. This can be seen in various cultural, social, or political contexts.

For instance, Ben Shapiro discusses a case where opposing the renaming of sports teams, like the Atlanta Braves, serves as in-group signaling among certain political groups. It communicates to like-minded constituents that they do not align with what they perceive as 'woke' culture, thus reinforcing their group identity and differentiation from others 1.

Another form of in-group signaling is through costly or difficult behaviors that only committed members of a group would undertake. Jonah Berger highlights that signals like knowing obscure music or wearing unique fashion items serve as evidence of one's commitment and knowledge, which are difficult for outsiders to mimic. This type of signaling helps maintain a clear boundary between the in-group and outsiders 2.

Understanding in-group signaling helps explain how individuals and groups use cultural, linguistic, or symbolic means to create and maintain social identities and boundaries.