Group Polarization

Concept

Group polarization is the tendency for group discussions to amplify the prevailing attitudes of members, leading to more extreme positions than individuals would take alone.

Key Points

• Results from two main mechanisms:
  1. Informational influence: exposure to more arguments supporting on side strengthens that view.
  2. Normative influence: individuals shift to align with group norms and gain acceptance.
• Can increase risk-taking, extremism, or closed-mindedness in decision-making.
• Strongly influenced by group composition (like-minded groups polarize faster).

Example

• A jury deliberating on sentencing may end up recommending a harsher punishment than any single juror would have initially chosen.
• Online forums where climate skeptics gather often lead members to become even more entrenched in denial, beyond their original stance.
• If most team members slightly prefer a bold strategy, after discussion, the group may unanimously endorse a much riskier approach than any individual initially supported.

Related Ideas

• Echo Chambers: environments (often online) where dissenting views are excluded, reinforcing polarization.
• Psychological Safety: contrast, while psychological safety promotes open debate, group polarization narrows perspectives.
• Transactive Memory: both involve group cognition, but polarization highlights distortion rather than distribution of knowledge.