When did cliques begin?

Answer 1

Cliques have been a part of social structures for centuries, but their modern conceptualization began to be studied in the mid-20th century, particularly in the context of youth and adolescent social dynamics. Sociologists like William Golding and researchers in social psychology explored the formation of cliques in schools and peer groups during the 1950s and 1960s. The term itself became more widely recognized in the 1960s as part of discussions around social identity and group behavior.