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What is Group Polarization?
Group polarization is a phenomenon studied in the social sciences in which the decisions and opinions of individuals become more extreme when they are in group settings. According to the idea of group polarization, if an individual holds an opinion about a topic, that opinion will likely be enhanced after a discussion on the topic with a group. In many cases, the concept of "more extreme decisions" is interpreted to strictly refer to riskier, wilder decisions. It is important to note that the decisions and actions in a group may tend toward either extreme or pole, and can either be more cautious or more risky than a decision made by an individual.
There are several theories about the origin of group polarization, but the precise cause, if there is actually a single well-defined case, is not known. One theory revolves around the idea of social comparison, the idea that all members of a group are constantly analyzing the behavior of others and attempting to act in a socially advantageous way. This often involves acting in a way that is somehow superior to the perceived "average" general behavior or stance on a topic. In many cases, this means taking a more extreme stance on an issue. Assuming that everyone in the group is consciously or subconsciously working for social advantage in the group, the overall opinion of the group tends to shift to a more extreme stance.
Another possible explanation for the phenomenon of group polarization is based simply on commitment. By taking any stance at all on a topic in a group, one must maintain that stance to avoid seeming unsure or indecisive. Additionally, turning a vague inclination toward one side of an issue or another into a statement made in front of a group turns the inclination into a concrete opinion with witnesses. Moderate opinions or slight inclinations become much more real when put into words and heard by other people. When members of a group state an opinion or commit to a course of action, the rest of the groups expects them to stick to it.
It has been observed that group polarization occurs in online discussions as well as in physical discussions. This is especially true when those taking part in the discussion are anonymous. There tends to be a factor of "one-upmanship" in such discussion as people attempt to voice more shocking, original, and noteworthy opinions and ideas. This results in an overall group polarization effect as ever-more-extreme opinions and ideas are introduced to the discussion.
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![Group polarization theorizes that the decisions and opinions of individuals become more extreme when they are in group settings.]()
By: Monkey BusinessGroup polarization theorizes that the decisions and opinions of individuals become more extreme when they are in group settings. -
![Group polarization may occur in online discussions as well as in physical discussions.]()
By: Bacho FotoGroup polarization may occur in online discussions as well as in physical discussions.
Discussion Comments
I take a stance on some issues, not because I don't want to seem indecisive; but because I feel that my beliefs are being threatened.
@burcidi-- Yea, it's very interesting.
I have my own theory about why group polarization occurs, it's sort of related to your post.
I think society becomes polarized because the human mind cannot process a lot of information. For example, when we meet new people, we can't attribute all the characteristics of people that we come across to each individual. In order to make things easier for itself, our brain begins to categorize people according to certain characteristics. As we make generalizations about others, we become polarized.
The human brain is the cause of polarization. This is what I think anyway.
Group polarization has a lot to do with the theory of in-group and out-group. We studied this in my class about conflict recently. My professor has done a lot of research on group polarization psychology and conflict.
The theory basically says that groups form their identity based on "the other." The group that we are a member of is the "in-group" and the group we are not a member of is the "out-group" or the other. So when two groups of people are in the same environment, their identity becomes very dominant and they begin to identify themselves with characteristics that the other group doesn't have.
It's because of this formation of identity that groups become polarized.
Isn't it interesting?
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