five 'principal conditions' for raising collective mental life to a higher level.
The first and fundamental condition is that there should be some degree of continuity of existence in the group. This may be either material or formal; the former, if the same individuals persist in the group for some time; and the latter, if there is developed within the group a system of fixed positions which are occupied by a succession of individuals.
The second condition is that in the individual member of the group some definite idea should be formed of the nature, composition, functions and capacities of the group, so that from this he may develop an emotional relation to the group as a whole.
The third is that the group should be brought into interaction (perhaps in the form of rivalry) with other groups similar to it but differing from it in many respects.
The fourth is that the group should possess traditions, customs and habits, and especially such as determine the relations of its members to one another.
The fifth is that the group should have a definite structure, expressed in the specialisation and differentiation of the functions of its constituents.
According to McDougall, if these conditions are fulfilled, the psychological disadvantages of the group formation are removed.