One subject that I am rather interested in (as it is my major) is Psychology. I enjoy applying psychological concepts and theories to everyday life and in this particular scenario, to one of my favorite childhood book series, Harry Potter, but more specifically, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Thus, by taking this approach, I could analyze the characters, themes, and underlying symbols using a psychological lens. For this discussion, I wish to dive deeply into the way J.K. Rowling displays the concept of in-group vs. out-group throughout the first book. More specifically, the way in which the first book’s introduction to the different houses and the relationship between the characters of these different houses demonstrates this concept.

So, what exactly is an in-group and an out-group? Remembering back to many of my psychology classes, these are some simple definitions of each – the in-group can be defined as the group from which one [the individual] belongs to, whereas the out-group can be defined as the group from which one [again, the individual] does not belong to. You can see how conflict may arise between the two. This form of social categorization creates what psychologists refer to as group identity whereby one associates their own identity with that of their social group. That is to say that the in-group to which one belongs to is seen positively, whereas the out-group is seen negatively, thus creating an “us vs. them” scenario. This concept is seen among different social groups that are categorized on different identities such as race, gender, ethnicity, etc. Thus, this concept is merely unavoidable in any society, including Hogwarts and the world of the Harry Potter series.

In the beginning of the Sorcerer’s Stone, Harry Potter is introduced to a new world, filled with wizards, witches, and other magical creatures. Growing up in a Muggle family, he often found himself to be different from his other family members, but wasn’t quite sure why. Until he met Hogwarts’ gamekeeper, Hagrid, whom he learned so much from before being introduced to this new world. Although it seemed like the perfect place for Harry, it didn’t come without its flaws. As he continues his learning of the Wizarding world, he realized that he stood out as the famous boy who defeated Voldemort, the powerful wizard who created a dark time in the Wizarding and Muggle worlds, when only a baby. Soon enough, he would learn about the division that is present in not only the Wizarding world, but at Hogwarts as well.

As Harry is introduced to the Wizarding world and Hogwarts’ customs, he learns about the different Houses that encompass the school – Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin – with each valuing different characteristics in a person. With this, we see the introduction of the in-group vs. out-group concept. The creation of these four houses and its continued presence at Hogwarts make it quite difficult for the students to see each other belonging to the same group, even if they do attend the same school. Harry is introduced to the concept of houses by a boy on Diagon Alley, who expresses that he desires to be in the Slytherin house because his whole family has been in that house. However, Hagrid went on to tell him “There’s not a single witch or wizard who went bad who wasn’t in Slytherin. You-Know-Who was one” (Sorcerer’s Stone, 80), while also stating that “Everyone says Hufflepuff are a lot o’ doffers” (80). Here we see how Hagrid expresses what others in the Wizarding world feel toward each house, and therefore, the existence of division amongst different social groups.

While in the train to Hogwarts, he meets Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, from who he learns more about the Hogwarts’ Houses values. Both Ron and Hermione express their desire to be in the Gryffindor house and more than anything, avoid being in the Slytherin house (they eventually ended up in Gryffindor). With the introduction of Harry’s friends, we see how he forms his in-group that also consist of other Gryffindor peers. Harry’s in-group follows him throughout the series, as he continues to add more people into his inner circle. However, it is Ron and Hermione who are closest to him and he demonstrates his group identity alongside them.

Additionally, we are also introduced to Harry’s out-group – or greatest foe, Draco Malfoy. Remember him as the boy from Diagon Alley? Yep, that’s him. It is in the Hogwarts train where he discovering his dislike for him after Draco told Harry, “You’ll soon find out some wizarding families are much better than others, Potter. You don’t want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there” (Sorcerer’s Stone, 108), from which Harry replies with, “I think I can tell who the wrong sort are for myself, thanks” (109), defending his new friend Ron. This second interaction between Draco and Harry sets their relationship throughout the series, as they continuously loath each other and try to do something to get the other in trouble. More interesting, Ron and Hermione join in as well, thus creating an “us vs. them” scenario (the them also consisting of Draco’s friends, Crabbe and Goyle, who are also in the Slytherin house).

Through these interactions between the characters in the first book, we are able to see how in-groups and out-groups are formed in Harry’s life. Although the first book does not go deeply into the Houses division, it will be interesting to see how this concept is found in examples throughout the series, especially with the introduction of Dark Wizards. For now, I hope you enjoyed my blog post and I look forward to writing more soon! Thank you 🙂