How Belonging Can Change Minds

"Most people have a hierarchy of belonging that they will use when there is a conflict of interests between the various groups to which they belong. For example, I belong to my family group first, then my immediate work group, then the larger company, then my country. It is not quite as simple as this and there are always exceptions and variations, but the principle is nevertheless useful."

This made me think about what my hierarchy of belonging was...it's true that it is not as simple as that. Has anyone heard/read of this theory before, i'd like to include a reference if posible.