In the novel Divergent by Veronica Roth, characters struggle to fit in and find their place within society, and fitting in is a key to survival. But why do we struggle to fit in?

We tend to fit in to adhere to social acceptance, including adhering to negative characteristics society has for us to fit into. Michael W. Taft explains, "Our biological wiring for group cohesion is so strong that we will do almost anything to fit in, and to feel anxiety if we don’t belong."

Another aspect that is even more extreme than trying to be accepted is putting others, and even yourself into harm to show that you are in a higher social class. An example of this would be putting yourself in debt to buy a luxurious non-essential item.

When we fit in we also engage in group think, the constant trade of ideas between one another to further develop our knowledge as a whole, another natural reaction our body has.