Group polarization can lead to groups taking actions that individual members would not undertake on their own. In a broader societal context, it can fuel extreme political partisanship and foster hostile attitudes, potentially resulting in levels of discrimination that are on par with or even exceed racial discrimination.

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Group polarization is the process by which a group's initial attitude becomes more extreme following discussion among its members. If the group initially leans towards a particular viewpoint, their consensus after discussion will be an even stronger endorsement of that view. Similarly, if the group is initially opposed to a viewpoint, the discussion will likely result in stronger opposition.

Group Polarization

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

When encountering an out-group norm, individuals
 will not change their views in the direction of conformity with the (out-group)
 majority; and, if the out-group is disliked by their in-group peers, individuals will
 shift their views away from those of out-group members.

 Out-group polarization

Consequences of Group Polarization

Modern political partisanship serves as an example of group polarization. When people choose media outlets that align with their existing political views, they are less exposed to opposing arguments. This selective exposure reinforces their original beliefs over time, strengthening their perspective and increasing hostility towards those with different political ideals.

Example of Group Polarization: Political Partisanship

Political conventions offer an observable instance of group polarization. In this group setting, individuals often become stronger supporters of their party's platforms than they would be individually, as the collective discussion reinforces and amplifies their initial leanings.

Example of Group Polarization: Political Conventions

An everyday example of group polarization occurs when a group discusses someone's attractiveness. An individual's initial opinion can be strengthened by the group's consensus; for instance, if friends vocally agree that a person is attractive, the individual may come to find that person even more attractive.

Example of Group Polarization: Discussing Attractiveness

Given the following case study, identify the psychological principle that best explains the group's shift in opinion and explain the process that led to their final, more extreme decision.

Community Meeting Dynamics

When duplicate knowledge entities are disseminated widely across online communities, they can create the perception of a consensus about a particular issue, regardless of factual accuracy. This perceived consensus can exacerbate group polarization by leading group members to believe their initial attitudes are overwhelmingly supported, driving the group toward more extreme viewpoints.

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