cohésion

Cohesion refers to the action or state of forming a united whole and is used across disciplines to describe the bonds that bind parts together. In social contexts, cohesion refers to the stability of social groups, communities, or societies and their capacity to act in concert.

Social cohesion involves trust, shared values, inclusion, solidarity, and a sense of belonging among members. It can be promoted by inclusive institutions, equitable access to resources, effective communication, and participation in decision-making. It is often assessed through indicators such as social trust, perceived equity, civic participation, and tolerance.

In organizational and team contexts, cohesion describes the degree to which members are connected and motivated to work toward common goals. High team cohesion correlates with cooperation, commitment, and performance but can also lead to conformity pressures if not managed.

In physics and materials science, cohesion denotes the intermolecular forces that hold a substance together, such as cohesion between water molecules, contributing to surface tension. In engineering, cohesive strength measures the internal bonds of a material, distinguishable from adhesion, which is attraction between unlike substances.

Measuring cohesion is context-dependent, using surveys, network analyses, performance metrics, or material properties. Policy makers aim to enhance social cohesion through inclusive governance, social safety nets, and conflict mitigation.

In summary, cohesion is a cross-cutting concept describing unity and integrity in social, organizational, and physical systems, with implications for resilience, cooperation, and stability.