Career Mission's Chief Executive Officer, A. Harrison Barnes, in a webinar analyzed formation of groups and what is involved in being part of a group. Groups invariably have their own set of rules, expectations or codes that determine acceptable or non-acceptable conduct. Often, these are judged as ‘moral’ or ‘immoral’ and the group may choose to expel the ‘errant’ member.

Harrison underlines the importance of rules for every group. Groups will mostly guard their rules very fiercely; the very integrity of a group will be threatened if these rules are not obeyed. Similarly, individuals are protected and sheltered by the group they belong to, when they adhere to the group rules. This is particularly significant in times of crises when the group will support its members. Groups exist even within professional work set ups such as an organization. Rules for these may vary from those of other social groups in the sense that if you violate them, your boss may be compelled to fire you. Significantly this support works only if the member has proven his or her loyalty to the group well enough. You have to decide whether or not you want to belong to a group.

When someone wants to break away from the group they belong to, they are likely to give explanations criticizing the group. When you violate a rule of your group, you are more likely to criticize the group or its activities enough for them to shun you from the group. Harrison believes you will experience less anger if you choose groups whose rules you can follow easily. Not only will this help you, it will also translate into less harm to those around you as well.