gregariousness

Gregariousness is the tendency to form or seek the company of others, often in groups. It describes a preference for social interaction and cooperative living. The term derives from the Latin gregarius, belonging to a herd or flock.

In humans, gregariousness is a facet of sociability and is closely related to extraversion. It manifests as enjoyment of social gatherings, teamwork, and collaborative activities. Levels of gregariousness vary with culture, context, and individual temperament, and highly gregarious behavior can coexist with introspection or caution in different situations.

In nonhuman animals, gregariousness refers to the tendency to associate with conspecifics, forming flocks, herds, schools, or colonies. Benefits include improved foraging, protection from predators, and social learning; costs include resource competition, disease transmission, and greater conspicuousness to rivals and predators. The behavior often has a strong evolutionary basis and can shift with ecological conditions.

Measurement and study: In psychology, gregariousness is assessed through observations of social interaction or via related constructs such as sociability, affiliation motive, and extraversion. In ethology and ecology, it is described through patterns of group size, cohesion, and alignment. Cross-species comparisons help illuminate the trade-offs of social living and the environmental factors that promote grouping.