Patriotism is viewed from a social psycho­logical perspective as an attachment of group members towards their group and the country in which they reside. This attachment is reflected in beliefs and emo­tions that individuals hold. In its funda­mental form, patriotism has positive impli­cations, being an essential condition for group existence. It gives meaning to group membership and serves important functions of personal belonging and identification, as well as group functions of unity, cohesive­ness and mobilization. Without patriotism groups disintegrate and therefore every group tries to inculcate it in its members through cultural, social and political me­chanisms. But, although in its fundamental form patriotism is genuine, it may have negative consequences when beliefs of specific contents are added.