Humans, when alone, see threats as closer than they actually
are. But mix in people from a close group, and that misperception disappears.
In other words, there’s safety in numbers, according to a
new study by two Michigan State University scholars. Their research provides
the first evidence that people’s visual biases change when surrounded by
members of their own group.
“Having one’s group or posse around actually changes the
perceived seriousness of the threat,” said Joseph Cesario, lead author on the
study and assistant professor of psychology. “In that situation, they don’t see
the threat quite so closely because they have their people around to support
them in responding to the threat.’”